JUDGE OVERTURNS NEW YORK’S BAFFERT SUSPENSION
A New York federal judge on Wednesday nullified the suspension of horse trainer Bob Baffert, finding that the New York Racing Association acted unconstitutionally by failing to let him adequately respond to claims made against him after Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit failed a postrace drug test.
In her written ruling, Brooklyn Judge Carol Bagley Amon said a prompt post-suspension hearing where Baffert could refute the claims was required to meet constitutional muster.
But she said the racing association “had held no hearing — let alone a prompt one.”
Attorney W. Craig Robertson III, who represented Baffert at a Monday hearing before Amon, said the ruling confirms that “following the Kentucky Derby, there was an improper rush to judgment and Mr. Baffert has been treated unfairly.”
He called Amon’s ruling “one step, in one venue, toward righting those wrongs,” and said he hoped it would lead to cooperation between the parties rather than division.
“Bob Baffert and NYRA have had a good relationship in the past. My hope is that they can get to that point again for the overall good of horse racing,” he said.
Dave O’Rourke, president of the NYRA, said in a statement the association is reviewing the court’s decision to determine its “legal options and next steps.”
Amon said she concluded that Baffert had established a likelihood he will prove the suspension violated the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Sports and courts
Former Seahawks and 49ers star Richard Sherman was arrested after authorities said he tried to force his way into a family member’s home in suburban Seattle and fought with officers, who used police dogs to apprehend him.
Sherman was booked into the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle just after 6 a.m. on suspicion of so-called burglary domestic violence, according to online records.
A resident called 911 just before 2 a.m., saying someone was trying to force his way into a home in Redmond, Wash., police said.
Officers found Sherman outside the home and he fought with them while being taken into custody, “resulting in a Redmond K9 team being deployed to assist in gaining control.”
Police said the Washington State Patrol also was investigating a hit-and-run crash tied to Sherman. Before arriving at the home, he is suspected of striking a cement barrier on a busy state highway in the area and running away from his severely damaged vehicle.
Golf
Nelly and Jessica Korda teamed to shoot a 5-under 65 in alternate-shot play for a share of the first-round lead in the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational in Midland, Mich.
Defending champions Cydney Clanton and Jasmine Suwannapura joined “Team Jelly” and Pajaree Anannarukarn-Aditi Ashok and Jillian Hollis-Lauren Stephenson atop the leaderboard at Midland Country Club. The teams will play best ball today, alternate shot Friday and close with best ball Saturday.
NFL
Bum Phillips and Jeff Fisher and former General Manager Floyd Reese will be the newest members of the Tennessee Titans’ ring of honor.
The Titans announced that the trio will be inducted this season with Phillips being honored Sept. 26 during a game against Indianapolis. Controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk gave the Fisher, Reese and Phillips’ family the news.
Also
UCSD volleyball player
Charlie Siragusa is one of 13 named to the 2021 U.S. Beach Collegiate National Team.
• Tennis Hall of Famer
Shirley Fry Irvin, who won three consecutive major titles in the 1950s to complete a career Grand Slam, has died in Naples, Fla., at 94.
• Dick Tidrow, a former major league pitcher who went 100-94 over 13 seasons and was a longtime member of the San Francisco Giants’ front office, died unexpecdedly. He was 74.
• The Bruins signed defenseman Brandon Carlo to a six-year contract extension that will pay him an average of $4.1 million per year.
• Kyle Larson has received a contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports through 2023 and full sponsorship through the length of the deal.
• UC Davis suspended its entire varsity baseball team and put the team’s coaching staff on administrative leave while it investigates unspecified allegations of misconduct.