by Bill Finley and Dan Ross
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has revised the Statement of Charges against Coach Bob Baffert to include a pair of positive tests for phenylbutazone that occurred in 2019 in California and a subsequent test of with the trainer’s barn, in which they allege that 25 improperly labeled drugs were found.
The NYRA’s charge statement now contains allegations that, in the 16-month period leading up to the 2021 GI Kentucky Derby, six horses in Baffert’s care violated rules and regulations in six separate races .
After accusing Baffert of conduct that harmed the best interests of racing, the NYRA sought to temporarily ban its coach from racing. A hearing on the matter is scheduled to begin on January 24.
Baffert has had many drug positives in recent years, including detection Medina Spirit (Protonico) had betamethasone in his system when he won the 2021 GI Kentucky Derby.
After the race July 27, 2019 at Del Mar the gelding Cruel intentions (Smiling Tiger) tested positive for excess alcohol and Baffert was fined $500. A week later, Baffert trained Eclair (Bernardini) also tested positive for bute and Baffert was fined $2,500.
While the two bute medium products are not new news, the details of the previous barn inspection have not been made public. According to the Statement of Charge, Baffert’s warehouse was inspected by the CHRB on or about August 16, 2019, and the inspection “revealed 25 drugs that were not properly labeled and there were no locks on the medicine cabinet.” The NYRA also claimed that Baffert told the CHRB he didn’t know how bute got into the horses’ system and said he would offer a reward for settling the case.
Rick Arthur, medical director of the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) at the time of the violation, told TDN that, although he cannot remember the specifics of the case, such barn checks are “routine” after a post-race drug positive to “try to identify potential sources of violations.” hide and advise trainers on how to better manage their barns.”
Arthur adds that there is no regulatory requirement for the medicine cabinet to be locked, although the board strongly encourages medicines to be stored safely.
Furthermore, proper labeling of medications is largely the responsibility of the veterinarian, says Arthur, and an important question is: What are mislabeled medications?
“If it’s an out-of-the-box Gastrogard tube,” said Arthur, pointing to a commonly used ulcer medication, “it’s a technical violation and not serious at all. If it is serious, a formal warning or complaint will be filed against the trainer or the dispensing veterinarian. “
The amendment charges also cite a rule change made by Churchill Downs in which no horse trained by Baffert was eligible to earn points for the Derby or GI Kentucky Oaks and Baffert announced that he would hire a veterinarian to insure against future rule violations. The veterinarian, Dr. Michael Hore, was never hired.
In addition to conduct that was in the best interests of racing, the NYRA charged Baffert with conduct that harmed the health and safety of horses and jockeys, and of conduct detrimental to the performance of the horse. business of NYRA.
Peter Sherwood, a retired New York State Supreme Court Justice, will serve as the hearing officer on the Baffert matter.
Before the deadline for this story, Baffert’s attorney Craig Robertson has yet to return a call seeking comment.
