NEW YORK — Trainer Bob Baffert sued in federal court Tuesday in an effort to get his suspension by the New York Racing Association lifted.
The NYRA suspended the Hall of Famer in mid-May after Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit failed a postrace drug test that found 21 picograms of betamethasone. The steroid helps reduce swelling and Baffert acknowledged that Medina Spirit tested positive for the substance that is banned on race day in Kentucky. The trainer later said an ointment used to treat a skin condition contained the substance.
In the filing in Brooklyn, Baffert said he was suspended without “any prior notice” by the NYRA, which did not specify “duration or terms of the suspension” and did not accuse him of violating any New York state law or regulation. He said any prolonged suspension could put him out of business in New York if horses under his care are transferred to other trainers.
The NYRA, which operates Belmont Park, Aqueduct and Saratoga Race Course, said it took the action “to protect the integrity of the sport.” NYRA spokesman Patrick McKenna said the organization took into account that other Baffert-trained horses have failed drug tests in the recent past, resulting in penalties against him by regulators in Kentucky, California and Arkansas.
Churchill Downs suspended Baffert for two years earlier this month after an additional drug test of Medina Spirit confirmed betamethasone in the horse’s system. Baffert cannot enter any horses in the Kentucky Derby or other races at the storied Louisville track through the spring of 2023.
Churchill Downs said it reserves the right to extend Baffert’s suspension if he has additional violations in other states. Baffert has had five in the past 13 months.
Last week, Baffert and Zedan Racing Stables also sued for a temporary injunction against the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, seeking further testing to prove that traces of betamethasone found in Medina Spirit’s system during a positive drug test did not come from an injection.
The implementation of the first nationwide anti-doping program for racehorses in the U.S. has been delayed by at least one month as it awaits approval by the federal agency that oversees it, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) said.
The new rules, which had been scheduled to take effect late last month, will replace the patchwork of state-by-state regulations after high-profile drug scandals and horse deaths led the federal government to intervene.
“We are disappointed by today’s procedural ruling related to the Federal Trade Commission’s [FTC] approval processes,” HISA said in a statement on Friday.
“This ruling institutes a 30-day waiting period prior to the implementation of HISAs Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program and solely addresses a procedural concern with the FTC’s approval order.
“It does not address the substance of the ADMC rules or the constitutionality of the ADMC Program or HISA more broadly.” HISA officials say the electronic tracking system for horses will reduce fatalities while finding and punishing bad actors, key steps for a sport trying to win back public trust.
HISA’s racetrack safety program, which launched in July 2022, remains in effect.
Tim Kavanagh is a senior NHL editor for ESPN. He’s a native of upstate New York.
The Sidney Crosby era of Pittsburgh Penguins hockey has been synonymous with success. The Pens missed the playoffs in Sid’s rookie campaign of 2005-06 but have made it every season since, a streak of 16 straight springs with playoff hockey in Western PA. That run has included three Stanley Cups and one loss in the Stanley Cup Final.
Although today’s games are not must-wins for either club, the points have become all too important to squander as the final matchups are played. As it stands now, the Penguins have a 66% chance of making the playoffs, per FiveThirtyEight’s model, compared with 38% for the Panthers.
As we enter the final stretch of the regular season, it’s time to check all the playoff races — along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2023 NHL draft lottery.
Note: All times Eastern. All games not on ESPN, ESPN2, TNT or NHL Network are available via NHL Power Play, which is included in an ESPN+ subscription (local blackout restrictions apply).
Points: 90 Regulation wins: 31 Playoff position: WC1 Games left: 8 Points pace: 100 Next game: vs. LA (Saturday) Playoff chances: >99% Tragic number: N/A
Points: 85 Regulation wins: 28 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 6 Points pace: 92 Next game: vs. ANA (Sunday) Playoff chances: 31% Tragic number: 11
Points: 75 Regulation wins: 22 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 7 Points pace: 82 Next game: vs. LA (Sunday) Playoff chances: <1% Tragic number: 2
Points: 57 Regulation wins: 15 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 7 Points pace: 62 Next game: @ ARI (Saturday) Playoff chances: 0% Tragic number: E
Points: 56 Regulation wins: 13 Playoff position: N/A Games left: 7 Points pace: 61 Next game: @ EDM (Saturday) Playoff chances: 0% Tragic number: E
P — Clinched Presidents’ Trophy; Y — Clinched division; X — Clinched playoff berth; E — Eliminated from playoff contention
Race for the No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer is Connor Bedard, who has been lauded as a generational talent.
Major League Baseball says it is investigating a confrontation between Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon and an Athletics fan at Thursday’s season opener in Oakland.
In a 12-second video posted on social media, Rendon grabs the fan by the shirt through the guardrails and accuses the fan of calling him a “b—-.” Rendon continues to challenge the fan as he denies the claim. Rendon then calls the fan a “motherf—er” and takes a swipe, which does not connect, as he lets go of the shirt and proceeds to leave the area.
No video showing what led to the altercation was immediately available.
“We are aware of the video and we are now looking into the matter,” MLB said in a statement.
The Angels said they had no comment on the situation and that Rendon would discuss what happened with reporters before Saturday’s game against Oakland.
Rendon was 0-for-3 in the Angels’ 2-1, Opening Day loss to the Athletics. He missed the majority of 2022 after undergoing right wrist surgery during the season.