A federal judge has dismissed Bob Baffert’s claim that Churchill Downs violated due process by suspending the Hall of Fame trainer for two years, granting Churchill Downs’ motion for summary judgment.

Churchill Downs Inc. suspended Baffert in June 2021 after his presently expired foal, Medina Soul, fizzled a postrace drug test subsequent to crossing the end goal first in the 147th Kentucky Derby. The coach’s solicitation to lift the discipline was denied in February, keeping him out of the Derby briefly successive May.

U.S. Region Court Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings managed in a 12-page assessment gave Wednesday that Churchill Downs’ suspension of Baffert didn’t cheapen his Kentucky mentor’s permit. It stated that his argument “amounts to a false analogy that distorts caselaw” and cited his purse winnings at Keeneland in Lexington that exceeded $1 million.

Jennings rejected CDI’s request to dismiss discovery as meaningless.

The choice comes under seven days after Baffert-prepared yearling Irreplaceable asset won the Preakness in his first Triple Crown race in quite a while. His record eighth win in the second gem of the Triple Crown came hours after one more of his ponies, Havnameltdown, was euthanized following a physical issue at Pimlico.

Churchill Downs released a statement expressing its satisfaction with the favorable decision made by the court, as it did in other cases involving Baffert.

“This completes the seemingly endless, arduous, and unnecessary litigation proceedings instigated by Mr. Baffert,” it added. “While he may choose to file baseless appeals,”

Baffert’s suspension is booked to end on June 2, however the track’s delivery noticed expanding it “and will impart our choice” at its conclusion right.”

Source – Wpsdlocal6