Bob Baffert could face a Two-Year Horse Racing Suspension

Bob Baffert is losing his battle in the court room to continue training horses. On Wednesday a former New York Supreme Court Justice recommended a two-year suspension for the two-time Triple Crown-winning trainer.

The suspension is not a final verdict by the New York Racing Association (NYRA). Baffert’s attorneys and NYRA each have seven days to prepare one final statement to share with a three-person panel. Once that panel rules, there are no further appeals for Baffert.

The most recognized trainer in horse racing is facing a lengthy suspension after Medina Spirit failed a Kentucky Derby race day drug test. Since the failed test was discovered just a little less than a year ago, Baffert’s fight has turned into a convoluted mess. Let me try to explain it simply.

When the Baffert suspension could happen

This NYRA hearing is different than his fight against the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC), which makes weeding through specifics difficult. Baffert is getting suspended and using attorneys to fight the suspensions in multiple states. You can find more details on the current court battle from BloodHorse and the AP, but these are the key facts you need to know.

• Baffert is currently in the middle of a 90-day KHRC suspension.
• Baffert cannot receive a suspension from NYRA until that one ends July 2.
• A suspension in one state applies in every single state, eliminating Baffert-trained horses from this year’s Triple Crown.

Technically, Bob Baffert is eliminated from contention in this year’s Triple Crown, however, he did previously train a few horses that could win this year’s Kentucky Derby. Two-time graded stakes winner Messier and Santa Anita Derby winner Taiba are now under the guidance of Baffert’s former assistant, Tim Yakteen. Even though some folks may not see Baffert’s name in the program, his fingerprints remain all over this year’s run for the roses.