Judge Grants Jockey Club Request in NYRA, Baffert Suit

A New York district court judge granted The Jockey Club permission June 23 to file an amicus brief in support of the New York Racing Association as part of an ongoing lawsuit between the racing association and trainer Bob Baffert.

Judge Carol Bagley Amon granted the request and order the brief must be filed no later than June 30 or it would not be considered, according to documents filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

The Hall of Fame trainer sued NYRA June 14 to block a temporary suspension from him being granted stalls or entering horses at Belmont Park, Saratoga Race Course, and Aqueduct Racetrack. NYRA took its action eight days after it was revealed that Zedan Racing Stables' Medina Spirit , winner of this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) and trained by Baffert, tested positive for the corticosteroid betamethasone, which is not permitted at any level on race day. A split sample later confirmed the medication was in the horse's blood on race day.

The Jockey Club requested permission to file the amicus brief to "provide the court with a unique perspective and information to assist in deciding the pending motion for preliminary injunction," stated a court filing from attorney Susan Phillips Read.

Because The Jockey Club advocated for passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020, which would create uniform medication and safety standards nationwide, Read argued the registry has a special interest in "sharing its perspective regarding the deleterious effects of improper drug use on the health of horses, the Thoroughbred racing industry, and public trust in the honesty of competition."

NYRA's attorney did consent to The Jockey Club's request, while Baffert's counsel did not.