The 151. Run of Kentucky Derby takes place on the famous Churchill Downs racing track in Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday, May 3rd, and returning for the first time in four years will be the Hall of Fame Horse Trainer, Bob Baffert.

Baffert, one of the most successful teachers in the history of the sport, returns this year after missing out on the first stage of Triple Crown for three consecutive years-a suspension, which began with his record-breaking seventh victory at the race in 2021, which was later stripped due to a failed drug test.

Baffert, one of only two coaches who have ever won the coveted Triple Crown On two occasions, some of some of some of some of some of the horse races were emitted after the fall of Medina Spirit’s Kentucky Derby victory in 2021.

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May 2021 – Medina Spirit wins Kentucky Derby

Baffert secured his seventh Kentucky Derby victory on May 1, 2021, when Medina Spirit, 3-year-old Colt, owned by Zedan Racing Stables, won the first stage of Triple Crown by half a length. The victory in Churchill Downs broke the record, previously shared between Baffert and colleague Hall of Fame coach Ben Jones.

Medin Spirit tests positive; Baffert suspended

Days after he was declared the winner it was announced on 9 May 2021, that Medina Spirit Had failed a posttrace drug test after testing positive for an excessive amount of steroid betamethasone. Churchill Downs immediately suspended Baffert, who denied any wrongdoing.

“It’s our understanding that Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit’s blood test after running indicated a violation of the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s horse medicine protocols,” the racing track said in a statement at the time. “To be clear if the results are maintained, Medina Spirit’s results in the Kentucky Derby will be invalid and Mandaloun will be declared the winner.”

Baffert was also later blocked by the New York Racing Association, pending the investigation in Kentucky.

June 2021 – Baffert suspended in the long term

Medina Spirit, run by Jockey John Velazquez, #8, crosses the finish line to win the 147th Kentucky Derby in Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 1, 2021. (Sam Mallon/Getty Images)

On June 2, 2021, Churchill Downs announced that Baffert would be suspended from entering a horse on the famous horse track for the next two years after another post trace test failed a drug test.

February 2022 – Medina Spirit Stripped of Derby Title

On February 21, 2022, Churchill Down’s officially recognized Mandaloun as the winner of the 147th of the Kentucky Derby after Kentucky Horse Racing Commission announced that Medina Spirit was in violation of racing rules. Baffert was suspended and fined by the Commission.

Bob Baffert-Trained Horse that is not allowed to drive in Kentucky Derby, Judge Rules

March 2022 – Baffert sues Churchill Downs

Baffert brought a lawsuit in the US District Court of Western District in Kentucky against Churchill Downs, CEO William C. Carstanjen and Chairman R. Alex Rankin on March 1, 2022 in an attempt to overthrow the suspension, and argued that the famous horse coach did not get the right for the right process.

“Facts are clear, and Churchill Downs know them, but refuses to acknowledge them,” said a Baffert lawyer at the time. “Churchill Downs knows that the report after the race test took place as a result of the use of a harmless ointment known as Otomax. They know it was prescribed by Medina Spirit’s treating veterinarian and correct and timely reported to the data bean on the day it was handed out.

May 2023 – Case against Churchill Downs dismissed

Coach Bob Baffert has the trophy after Medina Spirit won the 147th Kentucky Derby in Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 1, 2021. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

A federal judge rejected the case against the Kentucky racing track on May 25, 2023, after a previous attempt by Baffert’s legal team to cancel the ban in February was denied. The decision came only a few days after one Baffert-Trained Horse Won Preakness Stakes, A record -breaking eighth victory in Baffert.

“Our actions to suspend Mr. Baffert after Medina’s Spirit’s confirmed positive to a banned race day, combined with his extensive history of drug cravemators, was made in the best interest in protecting the integrity of horse races (SIC),” Churchill Downs said in a statement after the decision.

“Now, more than ever, participants and operators in this industry have to individually and collectively assume the responsibility of taking any reasonable measure to protect our horses and human athletes and reject any practice that jeopardizes this mission.”

Churchill Downs also said it reserved the right to expand Baffert’s Suspension, a decision that would come at the end of his two-year ban.

July 2023 – Bafferts Suspension is expanded

Baffert’s suspension was expanded through 2024, announced Churchill Downs on July 3rd.

“Mr Baffert continues to go into a false tale of the failed drug testing by Medina Spirit at the 147th Kentucky Derby, from which his horse was disqualified by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission in accordance with Kentucky Law and Regulations,” the racer said in a statement.

“A coach who is not willing to assume responsibility for more drug tests in our highest profiled races cannot trust to avoid future mismatch. Mr. Baffert will remain suspended from entering horses on all racing track owned by CDI through 2024. After this time we will reassess his status.”

January 2024 – Baffert goes on

Coach Bob Baffert is looking at after winning Sir Barton Stakes in front of the 148th Preakness Stack at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on May 20, 2023. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Baffert announced on social media earlier this year that he had instructed his lawyers to reject an appeal related to Medina Spirit’s disqualification in 2021.

“Zedan Racing owner, Amr Zedan, and I have decided that it is best to positively focus on the current and future that our great sport offers,” he wrote in a statement sent to X. “We thank KHRC and Churchill Downs to listen and consider our point of view, and we are grateful for the changes and clarity that Hisa brings to our sport.”

April 2024-Baffert-Trained Horse unjustified to 150. Kentucky Derby

This view shows the saddle cloth of coach Bob Baffert’s horse during morning training for Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on May 12, 2021. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

A Kentucky Appeal Judge refused an appeal from Zedan who sought a relief hearing that would allow Arkansas Derby -winner Muth the opportunity to run in the Kentucky Derby on May 4.

July 2024 – Baffert takes ownership, Churchill Downs Promises Suspension

Baffert released a statement that took ownership of the positive test in 2021 and accepted Churchill Downs’ disciplinary actions that followed.

“I am responsible for any substance found in the horses that I train, and I have paid a very steep price with a three-year suspension and incompatibility of Medina Spirit’s performance,” his statement partly reads. “I understand and appreciate that Churchill Downs and Kentucky Horse Racing Commission took steps to enforce the rules they thought were needed to protect the safety and integrity of horse racing and reputation for the Kentucky Derby.”

After taking ownership of his actions in the trial, Churchill Downs announced that it had abolished Baffert’s suspension.

“We are pleased that Mr. Baffert has taken responsibility for his actions, completed a significant penalty and is obliged to run in full accordance with the rules and regulations in the future,” the statement reads. “All parties agree that it’s time to bring this chapter close to and focus on the future. Mr. Baffert is welcome to return to any of CDI’s racing track, including our flagship Churchill Down’s Racetrack, and we wish him and his connections good luck in their future competitive efforts.”

May 2025 – Baffert returns

Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez and Citizen Bull, last year’s 2-year-old Master-Begge Baffert-trained horse-competing in this year’s Kentucky Derby with the legend himself present.

“It’s one of the things where I’m just tired of talking about it,” he said in an interview with Associated Press. “It’s been a tough three years and I’ve put it behind me.”