The person who owns the horse Muth, which was trained by Bob Baffert, is taking legal action against Churchill Downs Inc. They want to stop the track from preventing the horse from participating in the 150th Kentucky Derby next month.
The well-known race track initially suspended Baffert for two years on June 2 after one of his horses, Medina Spirit, tested positive for a prohibited drug. Later in July, they extended the suspension until at least the end of 2024, stating ongoing concerns about the safety and integrity of racing at their tracks linked to Baffert.
Zedan Racing Stables has filed a lawsuit in Jefferson Circuit Court in Louisville, claiming that the ban on their horse running in the upcoming Derby has no legal or factual basis. They also suggested that the track's CEO has a personal grudge against Baffert, who is a two-time Triple Crown winner.
The founder of ZRS stated that they never wanted or expected to take legal action, but they feel forced to do so because of the CEO's personal vendetta. They emphasized the impact on the horse racing industry due to the situation.
There will be a hearing on Monday.
Churchill Downs Inc. issued a statement calling the lawsuit meritless and arguing that lifting the suspension now would jeopardize the safety and integrity of races at the track by changing the qualification rules just before the Derby.
They added that the courts and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission have already upheld Baffert’s suspension and the disqualification of Medina Spirit, and the issues in the lawsuit have already been addressed.
Muth recently won the Arkansas Derby, which would normally earn enough points to qualify for the Derby, but the suspension prevented this. The horse has a successful racing record.
The Los Angeles Times was first to report this story.
