I give you points for knowing Asterix.
As far as COVID goes, there is a thread on COTH about it from last year.
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Let’s not forget Effinex (RIP).
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The split sample came back positive. So bad for horse racing and the public view of the sport.
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Wonder if Baffert will still claim innocence? From the NYT:
Clark Brewster, a lawyer who represents Medina Spirit owner Amr Zedan, said the laboratory at the University of California, Davis confirmed that a second post-race sample found the drug betamethasone, a corticosteroid injected into joints to reduce pain and swelling, at a prohibited level.
In a text message, however, Brewster said the laboratory did not test the blood or urine samples for the presence of other compounds, “which could prove the trace positive came from an inadvertent and materially inconsequential contamination sourced from a topical ointment used to treat Medina Spirit for a skin lesion on his hip.”
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Nice attempt at spinning it, though.
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Did they (the owner and Baffert) have the choice to specifically request that the split sample be evaluated for other compounds that would have been evidence that the positive was linked to a topical medication? Or was that out of their hands? Or are there no tests to actually definitely link to other chemicals indicating a topical skin treatment was ever used?
I don’t buy the accidental skin treatment excuse, personally. I’m just curious if it is something that actually could have been tested for, and proven/disproven with the split sample…
And I agree… this is a terrible thing for racing.
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Not really. Because this shows that even on the biggest racing days, testing is being done to weed out the cheaters. Even those who think they’re untouchable.
I hope this is what finally brings BB down.
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Not sure all the people who bet on Mandaloun but won’t receive a payout because the betting is final will feel so optimistic.
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But they knew when they placed their bets and the race was declared official that from the handicapper perspective, results were in, done, final.
Happy, probably not, but the risk that the players take. I am more than sure they’ve all lost $$ when a horse was DQ’d after the race was official.
How on earth would the bettors be tracked down to give then revised payouts (or collect revised payouts)?
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I’m not saying they ought to go back and track down all the bettors. My point is that public perception of racing isn’t just restricted to “horse people” who will say “oh good they caught a cheater!”. The type of people and attitudes you’ll find on CotH is only a subset of the general public.
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I will be interested to see the reaction from the owners who have horses with BB, as well as whether anyone decides to sue. This could well be the beginning of the end. He is in big time damage control mode.
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No Baffert horse will win the Derby in '22 or '23.
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Two year ban from Churchill Downs for doping the winner of the nation’s premier race? Seems very mild. What a naughty, naughty boy he was, dear me.
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See, this “ban” is not something you see very often. Normally when someone gets a bad test or some other infraction, they are given “days” meaning you are denied all privileges of the grounds for that period of time. When that happens, all other jurisdictions uphold the suspension so you can’t train or run anywhere. I don’t think the investigation is over yet so the final ruling and likely subsequent appeal hasn’t been levied yet. Which begs the question, is he going to get days when it is over or is this going to be their way of sidestepping the reciprocity so Bob isn’t out of business? It’s getting very interesting.
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As I said upthread, I hope he’s ready to retire, because who in the hell is going to have him help them buy their two year olds, and get them ready for their three year old year? What’s left for him, if he cannot train at the highest level?
I’m still curious about any additional legal actions.
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Does anyone else find it odd that Churchill Downs announced a suspension but no word on disqualification from the Derby? My understanding was that a 2nd positive test would be an automatic disqualification.
“The suspension by CDI prohibits Baffert, or any trainer directly or indirectly employed by Bob Baffert Racing Stables, from entering horses in races or applying for stall occupancy at all CDI-owned racetracks. CDI also reserves the right to extend Baffert’s suspension if there are additional violations in any racing jurisdiction.”
So if I’m reading this correctly it’s for all CDI tracks, correct?
That is 16 tracks total, including CD, Arlington and the Fairgrounds.
It’ll be interesting to see how things go, as this unfolds.
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That’s how I’m reading it too: “The suspension by CDI prohibits Baffert, or any trainer directly or indirectly employed by Bob Baffert Racing Stables, from entering horses in races or applying for stall occupancy at all CDI-owned racetracks.”
Per wikipedia:
Churchill Downs Incorporated owns the following racetrack and casino properties:
- Arlington Park
- Calder Casino and Race Course
- Churchill Downs
- Derby City Gaming (formerly Louisville Downs)
- Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots
- Harlow’s Casino Resort
- Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin
- Miami Valley Gaming (50% stake)
- Ocean Downs
- Oxford Casino
- Presque Isle Downs
- Rivers Casino (62% stake)
- Riverwalk Casino Hotel
- Turfway Park
- Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel
- Newport Racing & Gaming
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Just about spit my water all over the monitor upon reading about the 2 year suspension.
I would say CDI is PO’d and rightly so.
I was thinking earlier today where some folks had been wondering if the split could have been tested for any of the other chemicals that could have been associated with the tropical ointment. IMO, if you knew that the source of the betamethasone wasn’t the topical ointment, why would you ask for the additional testing when you knew the chemicals wouldn’t be found?
I am wondering if this will kill BB’s business or if he’ll be relegated to being a small time So Cal trainer. He could then transfer (as I understand it) a horse to a different trainer if the horse was to be run at a CDI track?
Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy… snort!
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