The Jefferson County Circuit Court docket has rejected thoroughbred proprietor Amr Zedan’s plea to permit his horse Muth to run within the upcoming Kentucky Derby. To contextualize, Muth is a horse educated by the controversial coach Bob Baffert who was suspended in 2021.
Baffert was suspended after one of many horses he educated, Medina Spirit, examined optimistic for a banned substance. The coach’s ban was initially set to run out earlier than this 12 months’s Kentucky Derby recreation however was prolonged after he insisted on his innocence.
In the previous couple of years, Baffert agreed to switch his horses to different trainers’ barns as a way to permit them to run within the Kentucky Derby. Nevertheless, the coach refused to take action this 12 months, that means that he’ll doubtless haven’t any entries within the race this 12 months.
This may occasionally imply a much less thrilling race, contemplating Baffert’s reputation and ability as a coach. For context, his horses have received six Kentucky Derbies, eight Preakness Stakes, three Belmont Stakes and three Kentucky Oaks. He has additionally educated the 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify.
Churchill Downs Lambasted Zedan’s Authorized Efforts
Throughout Wednesday’s listening to, Decide Mitchell Perry questioned Zedan’s choice to file his request now and never a 12 months in the past when Baffert’s ban was prolonged. He additionally famous that permitting Muth and different Baffert-trained horses to run would unfairly impression the race as it might imply different horses which have certified would possibly should be excluded from the race.
Moreover, the choose concluded that public belief is important to the enterprise of Churchill Downs. Due to that, Perry opted to reject Zedan’s request.
As for Zedan’s effort to get Muth to take part, Churchill downs dismissed his submitting as a case of “Derby Fever.”
We’re happy with the Court docket’s choice right now and imagine Mr. Zedan could undergo from a case of ‘Derby Fever,’ which is understood to unfold with publicity to horses and is contagious this time of 12 months. Signs can contribute to questionable judgment and in excessive instances can lead to litigious conduct.
Churchill Downs assertion
Within the meantime, considered one of Baffert’s attorneys, Clark Brewster, would possibly really profit from the upholding of the ban. Baffert, who can also be a racehorse proprietor, is an element proprietor of Observe Phantom, a promising Kentucky Derby contender.
