A retired New York State Supreme Court justice, acting as a hearing officer, recommended that thoroughbred trainer Bob Baffert be banned from horse racing in the state for two years. The recommendation is not binding and will go to a three-person panel, which is expected to accept the punishment.
The 50-page report by O. Peter Sherwood was issued on Saturday, but not announced by the New York Racing Assn. until Wednesday.
Baffert will have an opportunity to appeal the decision. Messages left with Baffert's attorneys Craig Robertson and Clark Brewster were not immediately returned.
