Baffert horses test positive for banned substances
Bob Baffert’s pursuit of a record-tying sixth Kentucky Derby victory has been complicated by a positive drug test involving one of his top 3-yearolds.
A person with knowledge of the situation told The Louisville Courier Journal two of Baffert’s horses tested positive during the recent meet at Arkansas’ Oaklawn Park on May 2, including one of his two winners of the split-division Arkansas Derby.
Unbeaten Charlatan, the Kentucky Derby favorite, won one of the Arkansas Derbys’ divisions; unbeaten Nadal the other.
Multiple reports, including by the New York Times and Bloodhorse.com, indicate one of the positive test’s belonged to Charlatan.
Baffert responded to an interview request from The Courier Journal with a prepared statement.
“The rules of the Arkansas Racing Commission mandate confidentiality concerning any investigation into an alleged rule violation until there is a written decision of the Stewards,” it read. “I am extremely disappointed that, in this instance, the Commission has not followed its own rules on confidentiality.
“I am hoping for an expedited investigation and look forward to being able to speak soon about any written decision of the Stewards, if and when it becomes necessary and I’m allowed to under the Commission’s confidentiality rules.”
Nikki Langston, spokeswoman for the Arkansas Racing Commission, said the agency “has no comment at this time.”
Twice a winner of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, Baffert’s 2018 triumph was later tainted by Justify’s positive test for scopolomine following the Santa Anita Derby.
The result of that test was concealed by California regulators until it was uncovered by The New York Times last September.
Regulators would ultimately dismiss the finding behind closed doors based on the claim the colt’s feed had been contaminated.