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151st running of Kentucky Derby It will be held on Saturday, May 3rd at the famous Churchill Downs Racecourse in Louisville, Kentucky, and will be returning after four years to Hall of Fame horse trainer Bob Buffate.
One of the most successful trainers in the history of the sport, Baffert is back this year after missing out on his first leg of the Triple Crown for the third year in a row.
Buffate, one of two coveted trainers Triple Crown It was considered twice by some exiles in the horse racing community following the 2021 Medina Spirit Kentucky Derby victory fallout.
Trainer Bob Baffert’s move to visitors outside the barn in Churchill Downs on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
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May 2021 – Medina Spirit wins the Kentucky Derby
Buffat secured his seventh Kentucky Derby victory on May 1, 2021, with Medina Spirit, a 3-year-old Colt owned by Zedan Racing Stables, taking his first leg of the Triple Crown in half. The victory at Churchill Downs broke a previously shared record between Baffert and fellow Hall of Fame trainer Ben Jones.
Mediin Spirit tests positive. Buffer has been suspended
It was announced on May 9, 2021, a few days after the winner was declared. Medina Spirit After testing for excess amounts of steroid betamethasone, the post-test drug test failed. Churchill Downs immediately stopped Baffert and denied any misconduct.
“We understand that post-race blood samples of Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit indicate a violation of Kentucky horse drug protocols,” the racecourse said in a statement at the time. “To be clear, if the findings are supported, the results of Medina Spirit in the Kentucky Derby will be invalidated and Mandalawn will be declared the winner.”
Baffert was also later banned by the New York Racing Association, waiting for an investigation in Kentucky.
June 2021 – Buffert has been suspended for a long time
Medina Spirit #8, ridden by jockey John Velazquez, will cross the finish line to win the 147th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on May 1, 2021. (Sammaron/Getty Images)
Churchill Downs announced on June 2, 2021 that Baffert will be suspended from entering the horse on the famous horse truck for the next two years after a second-year sample failed drug tests.
February 2022 – Medina Spirit has been stripped of Derby title
On February 21, 2022, Churchill Downs officially confirmed Mandalawn as the winner of the Kentucky Derby’s 147th Running after the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission announced that Medina Spirit was violating racing rules. Baffert was suspended by the committee and fined.
Judge Rule, Bobbaft trained horse not allowed to run in the Kentucky Derby
March 2022 – Buffert sues Churchill Downs
Buffert filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky in an attempt to overturn the suspension on March 1, 2022 against William C. Calstangen CEO William C. Calstangen and Board Chairman R. Alex Rankin on March 1, 2022, in an allegation that well-known horse trainers are not given the right to a legitimate process.
“The facts are clear, and Churchill Downs knows them, but refuses to acknowledge them,” Baffert’s lawyer said at the time. “Churchil Downs knows post-race test reports that have arisen as a result of the use of harmless ointments known as Otomax. They know that they are prescribed by the treatment of Medina Spirit veterinarians.
May 2023 – The lawsuit against Churchill Downs has been dismissed
Trainer Bob Baffert holds the trophy after Medina Spirit won the 147th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on May 1, 2021. (Andy Lions/Getty Images)
A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit against Kentucky’s racetrack on May 25, 2023. This comes after previous attempts by Baffert’s legal team to lift the February ban were rejected. This decision was made only a few days later Buffered training horses have won the Preakness Stakes, Buffato’s record eighth race victory.
“Our actions to suspend Mr. Baffert following the spirit of Medina, coupled with the broad history of drug violations, were positive affirmative to the substances of prohibited races and were taken in the best interest of protecting the integrity of horse racing (sic),” Churchill Downs said in a statement following the ruling.
“More than ever, participants and operators in this industry must individually and collectively assume the responsibility for taking any reasonable steps to protect horse and human athletes, and reject practices that put their mission at risk.”
Churchill Downs also said it reserves the right to extend the suspension of bufferate. This is a decision that comes at the end of his two-year ban.
July 2023 – Baffert suspension extended
Baffert’s suspension has been extended until 2024, with Churchill Downs announced on July 3rd.
“Buffert continues to sell the false narratives of the failed drug testing of the Kentucky Derby Medina Spirit, in which horses were disqualified by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission in accordance with Kentucky laws and regulations.
“Trainers who don’t want to accept responsibility for failing multiple drug tests at our best race cannot be trusted to avoid future fraud. Baffert will remain suspended from entering horses at all racetracks owned by CDI until 2024.
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January 2024 – Buffert moves
Prior to the 148th Preakness Stakes at the Pimlico Race Course held in Baltimore on May 20, 2023, trainer Bob Baffert has been keeping an eye on after winning the Serverton Stakes. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Baffert announced earlier this year on social media that he had directed his attorneys to dismiss appeals related to Medina Spirit’s disqualification in 2021.
“We have decided that it’s best to actively focus on the present and future that Zedan Racing owner Amr Zedan and our great sports offer,” he wrote in a statement posted to X.
April 2024 – 150th Kentucky Derby ineligible
This view shows the trainer bob buffered horse saddle cross during morning training for the Preakness Stakes at the Pimlico race course held in Baltimore on May 12, 2021. (Robcal/Getty Images)
A Kentucky Court of Appeals judge refused an appeal from Zedan, who sought an emergency relief hearing that would allow Arkansas Derby winner Moose to run in the Kentucky Derby on May 4th.
July 2024 – Baffert takes ownership and Churchill Downs Lift Suspension
Baffert issued a statement that he acquired Positive Test ownership in 2021 and accepted a subsequent disciplinary action by Churchill Downs.
“I was responsible for the substances found in the horse I trained and paid a very sudden price with a three-year suspension and a disqualification of Medina Spirit performance,” his statement read in part. “We understand and appreciate that Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission have taken steps to enforce rules that we believed were necessary to protect the safety and integrity of horse racing and the reputation of the Kentucky Derby.”
After taking ownership of his actions amid the ordeal, Churchill Downs announced that he had revoked Baffert’s suspension.
“I am pleased that Mr. Baffert is responsible for his actions, completed a substantial penalty and is committed to running in full compliance with future rules and regulations,” the statement read. “All stakeholders agree that it’s time to get this chapter closer and focus on the future. Mr. Baffert welcomes his return to CDI’s racetrack, including its flagship Churchill Downs racetrack.
May 2025 – Buffer Triturn
Wood Memorial winners Rodriguez and Citizen Bull, and last year’s two-year-old champions (both Buffert-trained horses) will compete in this year’s Kentucky Derby.
“That’s one of the things I’m tired of talking about,” he said in an interview with the Associated Press. “It was a tough three years and I put it behind me.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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