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Trainer Bob Baffert's ban from racing in New York is over
AP
Bob Baffert can once again enter horses at New York’s major tracks.
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The Hall of Fame trainer’s one-year ban by the New York Racing Association ended Wednesday, allowing him to enter horses as soon as Thursday.
“I was disappointed they even did it, but it’s water under the bridge,” Baffert told The Associated Press by phone.
He was suspended last June for repeated medication violations, although none of them occurred in New York. He was barred from Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga. A panel credited Baffert for time served for an initial suspension, which allowed him to return this week.
Aqueduct is currently holding its 44-day winter meet that runs through
March 26. Baffert doesn’t typically run horses this time of year in New York; he targets the biggest stakes races at Belmont in the spring and Saratoga in the summer.
Baffert remains under a two-year ban by Churchill Downs Inc., which sidelined him after Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit tested positive for a substance that is not allowed on race day. The penalty expires shortly after the Kentucky Derby in May. However, Baffert is fighting the suspension in federal court.
The Southern California-based trainer had a big weekend around the country, although not in New York.
He had horses running at three tracks on Saturday, January 28.
Defunded was entered in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream in
Florida, where Baffert assistant Jimmy Barnes was on hand.
Arabian Knight went into the $750,000 Southwest Stakes as the early favorite at Oaklawn in Arkansas. Baffert has won the Kentucky Derby prep race a record-tying five times and traveled to Hot Springs to watch the 3-year-old colt.
The Southwest offered Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers. Arabian Knight didn’t receive any points regardless of his placing because of Baffert's Derby ban.
Hopper ran in the $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes on Saturday, January 28 at Santa Anita.
On Sunday, January 29 at the same track, Baffert had entered four of the five horses set to run in the $200,000 San Vicente Stakes for 3-year-olds.
