The lawsuit filed by Amr Zedan's consolidated racing stable to try to get Bob Baffert-trained horses unbanned from participating in the GI Kentucky Derby could be decided this weekend, according to several published news reports after Monday's hearing in Kentucky. Jefferson Circuit Court.
Ron Flatter of Horse Racing Nationals reported that the judge in Zedan's lawsuit against Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) was “prepared to rule” on Zedan’s motion for an injunction and/or CDI’s motion to dismiss the case entirely, but wanted to wait until the Kentucky attorney general weighed in on the constitutionality of a law that CDI is citing to prevent the filing of lawsuits deemed frivolous.
Jason Frakes of the Louisville Courier Journal reported that John Quinn, the attorney representing Zedan, argued on April 15 that the decision to extend Baffert's previous two-year suspension was based on the “subjective opinion” of the CDI executive director , Bill Carstanjen.
Matt Hegarty of Daily Racing Model Written that Judge Mitchell Perry “spent much of Monday's hearing with attorneys for Zedan on why the owner waited to file a request for a temporary restraining order until April when the know that Baffert was banned from competing in the 2024 Derby last July.” Perry told Zedan's legal team that much of the relief they were seeking could have been issued at any time in the past 10 months after claiming the late arrival of their claim had caused ' an incredible time for all involved, including this court.' ”
Hegarty also quoted CDI's attorney, Thomas Dupree, as telling the judge that Zedan was well aware his horses would not gain qualifying points for the Derby if they were in Baffert's care.
“He learned last July that if he kept Mr. Baffert as a trainer his horses would not qualify,” Hegarty's DRF story quoted Dupree as saying. “Each time, he decided to stick with Mr. Baffert, knowing full well the consequences of his decision, and he now regrets that decision.”
After Zedan-owned and Baffert-trained Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone during the 2021 Derby, Baffert was banned from CDI properties for two years. A federal judge in February 2023 denied Baffert a preliminary injunction that the Hall-of-Fame trainer sought to qualify to race in the Derby. Last July CDI extended the ban until at least 2024. Baffert is not a party to this latest lawsuit.
Zedan owns GI Arkansas Derby winner Muth (Good magic), who would be one of the Derby favorites if allowed to race.
It is unclear whether the ruling in Zedan's favor will allow other Baffert practitioners owned by other entities to also participate in the Derby, or whether any lifting of the ban will allow practitioners by Baffert into the GI Kentucky Oaks.
After the hearing, a Zedan spokesperson issued the following statement: TDN: “We appreciate the Judge's interest in this case, and we share the court's interest in decisively resolving these issues for the 150th Derby and beyond. We look forward to his ruling on our case.”
TDN CDI also asked CDI for comment, but a spokesperson for the group did not respond by deadline for this story.
Next up is the April 17 hearing.
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This story was posted in Top news and tagged Amr Zedan, Bob Baffert, Churchill Downs, Inc., Jason Frakes, Kentucky Derby lawsuit, Matt Hegarty, Spirit of Medina, Muth], Ron flattered.
