Baffert indicted by New York Racing, must be heard

NYRA announced the start of the hearing process on Friday, adding that the organization believes Baffert’s conduct warrants the suspension or revocation of his right to train horses or participate in races at Aqueduct racetrack. , Belmont Park and Saratoga Racecourse.

Baffert was suspended by the NYRA in May for Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, who failed a post-race drug test, and he continued to lift the suspension. A New York federal judge overturned suspension in July on the grounds that the NYRA acted unconstitutionally by not letting him respond adequately.

In a letter dated September 9 and signed by chairman of the racing committee Stuart Subotnick, the NYRA has charged Baffert with conduct prejudicial to the best interests of racing, the health and safety of horses and jockeys and the organization’s business operations.

NYRA said retired New York State Supreme Court Judge O. Peter Sherwood will serve as hearing officer for the Baffert case. Fellow coach Marcus Vitali has also been charged with prejudicial conduct and a hearing is scheduled for September 30 to be heard by retired New York Court of Appeals Judge Robert Smith.

“The NYRA has a responsibility to protect the integrity of the sport of thoroughbred racing,” NYRA President and CEO Dave O’Rourke said in a statement. “We are committed to ensuring that the steps taken to achieve this goal are in accordance with due process requirements, as provided for in the NYRA hearing rules and procedures.”

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has yet to render a final verdict in its investigation of Medina Spirit positive test for the steroid betamethasone. Churchill Downs suspended Baffert for two years.

When Baffert’s suspension was overturned in July, attorney Craig Robinson said, “Bob Baffert and NYRA have had a good relationship in the past. I hope they can get there again for the general good of horse racing. “

Baffert saddled a handful of horses at Saratoga this summer after his suspension was canceled, including filly Gamine who won a $ 500,000 race on August 28th. and confiscation of the $ 120,000 of scholarship money.