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Noted horse racing analyst Michael Dempsey called out trainer Bob Baffert for what he says are horses that over the years test positive (for enhancement drugs) in the Santa Anta Derby, Arkansas Derby and Kentucky Oaks, three of the biggest races in the sport. Now add the Kentucky Derby to the list.
Medina Spirit’s victory in the Kentucky Derby is in serious jeopardy following a failed postrace drug test, one that led Churchill Downs to suspend Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert on Sunday in the latest scandal to plague the sport.
As of Monday morning, Medina Spirit was listed as the 7-2 favorite to win the upcoming weekend's Preakness Stakes but is in danger of being yanked from the Baltimore, Marlyand Pimlico race.
Baffert continues to claim the allegations are false, or at least he had no knowledge of the apparent doping. He has even gone as far as to claim he's a victim of cancel culture.
Medina Spirit to appear on Tucker tonight to defend Bob https://t.co/BF5Xg1CQnQ
— Brian Pempus (@brianpempus) May 10, 2021
“Yesterday I got the biggest gut punch in racing for something that I didn’t do,” Baffert said. “It’s disturbing. It’s an injustice to the horse. I don’t know what’s going on in racing right now, but there’s something not right. I don’t feel embarrassed, I feel like I was wronged.”
“I am not a conspiracy theorist,” Baffert added. “I know everybody is not out to get me, but there is definitely something wrong. Why is it happening to me? There’s problems in racing, but it’s not Bob Baffert.”
Dempsey took issue with Baffert's assertions.
"No Bob, you ARE the problem with racing. Just look at the headlines of the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times today. They are saying that for just the second time in the history of the Run for the Roses that the winner likely is going to get disqualified for a drug positive.
"So, yeah you are the damn problem!" the TurfNSport site founder insisted.
On Monday I'll be back on Sirius XM 204 & Sports Map Radio with @sportstalkmatt at 3:40 ET. Matt is probably flush with cash after I gave him Medina Spirit in the Derby. Not sure what we are going to talk about now. Probably my crab cake recipe. pic.twitter.com/JuUa070GWJ
— Michael Dempsey (@turfnsport) May 10, 2021
Dempsey tells Gambling911.com that he does not expect stateside race books to pay out on the Kentucky Derby runner-up, Mandaloun, though it is possible one or more offshore books will do so in an effort to garner good PR. Bets on Medina Spirit have already been paid out.
Dempsey offered some closing advise for Baffert.
"The Maryland Jockey Club needs to step up and tell you to stay your ass home."
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
