The Latest Breaking News from Medina Spirit

The Exile Ends: Bob Baffert Steps Back Into the Kentucky Derby

The legendary trainer’s three-year ban from Churchill Downs is over, but the controversy and questions about his legacy still linger.

Sports Illustrated · May 2, 2025

Churchill Downs lifts suspension of trainer Bob Baffert following Medina Spirit's failed drug test

Churchill Downs has rescinded its extended suspension of Bob Baffert, allowing the Hall of Fame trainer to resume racing his horses at the historic track and partner facilities after more than three years of banishment for a failed postrace drug test of 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit

The Independent UK · Jul 19, 2024

John Cherwa: Why Churchill Downs extended the ban on trainer Bob Baffert

Imagine having your driver’s license suspended, serving that suspension, and then being told the suspension has been extended because you haven’t admitted that you committed those driving offenses you were charged with two years ago.

Los Angeles Times · Jul 5, 2023

How to watch the 2023 Kentucky Derby for free online—and without cable

Grab your widest brimmed hat! It’s Derby Day.

Fortune · May 6, 2023

Practical Move beats three Bob Baffert horses to win Los Alamitos Futurity

LOS ANGELES — Trainer Bob Baffert has won some incarnation of the Los Alamitos Futurity 13 times and he had three of the five horses in Saturday's Grade 2 $200,000 race at the Orange County track. So, it makes sense he would up the number to 14, especially since he…

Los Angeles Times · Dec 18, 2022

Bob Baffert returns to race in Kentucky for first time since last year's Derby

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Commonwealth of Kentucky is the self-proclaimed horse racing capital of the world. It has the most famous racetrack, the most iconic race and more than 450 breeding farms.

Los Angeles Times · Nov 4, 2022

Bob Baffert returns to Santa Anita Park after suspension expires

Trainer Bob Baffert woke up at 5 a.m. Sunday, much earlier than he has been getting up the last 90 days. He wanted to go back to a job he has enjoyed and excelled at for more than four decades.

Los Angeles Times · Jul 4, 2022

NYRA cuts Bob Baffert suspension to a year, meaning he’s eligible for Belmont Stakes

In somewhat of a small victory, trainer Bob Baffert had his proposed two-year ban from racing in New York reduced to one year by a three-person panel appointed by the New York Racing Association. Baffert can resume racing horses in the state on Jan. 26, 2023, meaning he is eligible…

Los Angeles Times · Jun 23, 2022

Preakness 2022: On the eve of a more normal event, horse racing industry looks for hope in wake of a ‘very rough’ year

BALTIMORE — One year ago, Medina Spirit entered the Preakness with a dark cloud over him — the Kentucky Derby champion whose defining victory was in peril because of a medication violation and whose famous trainer, Bob Baffert, was facing suspensions in multiple jurisdictions.

Tribune News Service · May 20, 2022

Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike to skip Preakness, depriving Triple Crown race of its usual dramatic buildup

BALTIMORE — Rich Strike, the 80-1 long shot who thrilled the racing world with his late charge to victory in the Kentucky Derby, will skip the Preakness, owner Rick Dawson said.

Tribune News Service · May 12, 2022