Horse racing is looking to move on from Bob Baffert-Churchill Downs feud

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky Derby 150, just like 149 and 148, will be run without trainer Bob Baffert, the most recognizable name in the sport, even to those who don't follow it. And, for the first time, none of his horses were moved to other trainers, meaning the race won't have all the best horses in it.

The overwhelming number of people who attend the Derby are not there to see a great horse race but attend an epic party with hats. But to those who do care about the racing, the sentiment of who is the villain and who is the victim may be shifting in the now three-year fight between Baffert and Churchill Downs.

"It's very split, you've got half the people who say keep the 'cheater' out, we don't want him," said Louis Rabaut, host of Rabaut & Co. on ESPN Louisville radio and co-host of the Horse Racing Happy Hour. "The other half is, 'We want the best horses here.' It's been long enough.

"Obviously it's not the issues they are talking about anymore. I'm thinking last year it was about 80% that we're glad he's not here but this year it's 50-50, that's a big shift."

The issues date to 2021 when the Baffert-trained Medina Spirit tested positive for a medication generally legal but not allowed on race day. When the positive test was revealed, Baffert initially disputed it in the strongest terms only to reverse course a few days later and say the drug, betamethasone, was administered through an ointment to treat a rash.

Churchill Downs issued what was believed to be a two-year ban of Baffert to all Churchill Downs Inc., or CDI, tracks, which also include Turfway Park and Fair Grounds. What was mostly overlooked was the phrase "at least" before "two-year ban."

Despite no violations and serving a 90-day suspension by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, Baffert was handed a third year of punishment with no promise it won't be extended. In litigation filed last month, Churchill made it clear the year was added because Baffert had not taken responsibility for the medication or expressed regret.

Think about sending your child to their room and telling them not to come out until they were ready to accept responsibility. That would be Churchill's stand. Baffert's stand is that he's served his time and should be let out of the dog house. Plus, he contends he didn't do anything wrong.