Hi Ho No Pimlico

[Alabama Stakes]

No Preakness for Baffert . Maryland on board with suspension

[moses]

Originally Posted by Alabama Stakes

No Preakness for Baffert as Maryland suspends him

Poor Bob. #2022sucks

[freddymo]

Is racing better off without Baffert? Perhaps the very best dirt trainer ever banished forever?

[Kasept]

Why did anyone think he could run at Pimlico during the 90 day suspension?

[Kasept]

Do people not remember when Steve Asmussen had two consecutive six-month suspensions? Or when Pletcher had an extended (45?) one when the horses ran in Anthony Sciametta’s (sp?) name? Suspensions like these are universally honored by jurisdictions. There was never a question that Baffert would run in Maryland.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Do people not remember when Steve Asmussen had two consecutive six-month suspensions? Or when Pletcher had an extended (45?) one when the horses ran in Anthony Sciametta’s (sp?) name? Suspensions like these are universally honored by jurisdictions. There was never a question that Baffert would run in Maryland.

I'm with you, I'm not sure why anyone would think Baffert would be running anything in Maryland. But in the cases you mention the horses ran in the assistant trainer name. This is quite a bit different.

[Alabama Stakes]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Why did anyone think he could run at Pimlico during the 90 day suspension?

Maybe because he ran at Hot Springs last week and at Nyra less than a month ago. You trying to tell me there was no talk of him running in the Preakness ? Maryland ? They’ve been real leaders in the field as far as policing drug cheats.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Alabama Stakes

Maybe because he ran at Hot Springs last week and at Nyra less than a month ago. You trying to tell me there was no talk of him running in the Preakness ? Maryland ? They’ve been real leaders in the field as far as policing drug cheats.

KHRC suspension, which is then respected by all other jurisdictions, began April 4. Baffert's last starters (at Oaklawn or elsewhere) were on April 2.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Alabama Stakes

They’ve been real leaders in the field as far as policing drug cheats.

Well, they posture as real leaders and on health and welfare they've done a number of good things, particularly in California. But while they ruled a few pieces of low-hanging fruit off, they seemingly allow a cartel to operate in Florida with impunity. They're a fugazy outfit.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Is racing better off without Baffert? Perhaps the very best dirt trainer ever banished forever?

Is it better with him? That's not me giving an opinion either way. I'm just wondering if racing as a whole has been better with him.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Dahoss

Is it better with him? That's not me giving an opinion either way. I'm just wondering if racing as a whole has been better with him.

It's definitely not better with him if he violates the rules and refuses to accept responsibility.

I'll refrain from saying, however, that nobody is bigger than the game. We all know the OP of this thread disproves that.

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Is racing better off without Baffert? Perhaps the very best dirt trainer ever banished forever?

I don't think so. I don't think people outside of racing care. People inside of racing were supporting the sport and betting even knowing he was involved. Unless there's going to be numbers that show wagering increases with him out, I don't think the sport is better as far as perception goes.