Bob Baffert, a name synonymous with success in horse racing, has also become a lightning rod for controversy. While his trophy cabinet boasts an impressive collection, including multiple Kentucky Derbies and Triple Crowns, his career has been marred by a persistent pattern of medication violations. This article delves into the complexities of Baffert’s racing problems, exploring his past, his methods, and the ongoing debate surrounding his practices.
Early Career and Rule Bending
Baffert’s journey in horse racing began with humble origins. In his autobiography, “Dirt Road to the Derby,” he recounts an early incident in 1976 where, desperate for a win, he allowed a stranger to administer a painkiller to his horse. The drug turned out to be morphine, and despite the infraction, Baffert received a one-year suspension. However, he circumvented this ban by continuing to train horses in secret.
Further incidents followed. In 1991, a two-week suspension for using the medication Robinul to clear a horse’s mucous was met with a Hawaiian vacation instead of compliance. Baffert vowed to never repeat such actions, yet just a year later, he administered the same drug along with Lasix, a diuretic, to Thirty Slews, a horse that subsequently won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. These early instances reveal a pattern of pushing boundaries and seeking loopholes within the racing regulations. Baffert’s lawyer, responding to inquiries, characterized the morphine anecdote as an exaggeration from his college days and noted that Robinul and Lasix are legal under specific conditions and widely used in the sport.
Escalating Violations and Public Scrutiny
The stakes significantly increased decades later. Baffert’s 2021 Kentucky Derby winner, Medina Spirit, was disqualified after testing positive for betamethasone, a banned steroid. This resulted in a 90-day suspension by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and a two-year ban from Churchill Downs. This incident marked the fifth positive test from Baffert’s stable in 12 months and the 31st of his career, according to The Courier Journal’s tally. Baffert contested this count, attributing it to a “fundamental misunderstanding of my regulatory history.”
Despite his success, Baffert’s continuous violations have led prominent figures in the industry to question his practices. Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Inc., stated that Baffert’s record of “testing failures and his ‘extraordinary’ excuses” erode public confidence in thoroughbred racing. Marty Irby of Animal Wellness Action labeled Baffert “the Lance Armstrong of horse racing,” drawing parallels to another athlete embroiled in doping scandals. Conversely, some, like Barry Eisaman, who prepares horses for Baffert, argue that Baffert is a victim of increasingly sensitive testing methods that can detect minute traces of medication long after administration. Horse owner Mike Pegram suggested that Baffert’s larger-than-life persona, which some perceive as excessive, might also contribute to the scrutiny.
Baffert’s Unprecedented Success
Regardless of the controversies, Baffert’s success as a trainer is undeniable. He has secured six Kentucky Derbies, seven Preaknesses, and three Belmont Stakes, along with two Triple Crown victories with American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018). His horses have demonstrated an exceptional win rate of 23%, significantly above the industry average of 15%. This success is attributed to several factors, including his keen eye for purchasing talent. For instance, he acquired Real Quiet for $17,000 and Silver Charm for $85,000, both of whom went on to win major races. Baffert often credits his work ethic, inherited from his parents, and a deep love for horses for his achievements. His client list has expanded to include some of the world’s wealthiest individuals and organizations.
Training Philosophy and Allegations of Over-Medication
Some insiders, like Ray Paulick, editor of the Paulick Report, suggest Baffert’s success stems from training his horses more rigorously and for longer durations than his competitors. Paulick compares Baffert’s approach to a football coach having his team practice in full pads, ensuring they are race-ready. Baffert, however, maintains his focus is on keeping horses healthy and happy while instilling confidence, emphasizing that each horse requires a unique approach.
Other industry figures, such as Barry Irwin, owner of Team Valor International, contend that excessive medication is a key component of Baffert’s winning formula. Irwin, a former turf writer, believes that while Baffert has honed his craft, his repeated violations indicate a degree of sloppiness and arrogance, possibly due to lenient enforcement. Baffert refutes these claims, calling them “false” and originating from individuals with limited knowledge of the sport or his operations. He points out that his lawyer highlighted that many of his medication violations were overturned, and that racing medication testing operates at an extremely sensitive picogram level, making the process imperfect.
A Glimpse into Baffert’s Personal Life
Born Robert Alan Baffert in 1953, he grew up on a ranch in Nogales, Arizona. His father, Bill Baffert Sr., instilled in him a strong work ethic, which Baffert later applied to his racing career. He began racing quarter horses at a young age and pursued studies at the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program. The world of quarter horse racing, characterized by a “cowboy mentality,” often operated with less stringent rule enforcement, a period Baffert acknowledges but asserts he never encouraged rule-breaking. His best friend, fellow quarter-horse trainer John Bassett, later received a lengthy suspension for administering dermorphin, an opiate known as “frog juice.”
Baffert’s personal life has seen its share of changes. His first marriage to Sherry resulted in four children, though she reportedly cited his obsession with racing as a reason for their divorce. He later married Jill Moss, with whom he has a son, Bode. Despite his professional success, Baffert’s children did not follow him into the racing industry. He is known for his vibrant personality, often described as charming and witty, and his dedication to his horses, as evidenced by his frequent visits to Old Friends, an equine retirement facility.
Navigating Suspensions and Future Outlook
Baffert’s most significant suspensions have had far-reaching consequences, impacting his ability to participate in major races like the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes due to reciprocity agreements with racing commissions in New York and California. He has also had to transfer horses to other trainers to allow them to qualify for the Derby. Despite these challenges, Baffert continues to achieve notable victories, such as Country Grammer’s win in the $12 million Dubai World Cup. As industry figures like Ray Paulick warn against writing him off, Baffert maintains a positive outlook, expressing gratitude for his family, team, and the sport. However, critics like Barry Irwin suggest that Baffert may have learned that he is not above the rules, despite his immense talent and success. The debate over his practices and their impact on horse racing’s integrity continues.
