Bob Baffert suspended from having runners at Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga

The ramifications of the initial positive post-race drug test for Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit increased for Bob Baffert on Tuesday after the New York Racing Association announced a temporary suspension of the trainer's licence at its three racetracks.

"In order to maintain a successful thoroughbred racing industry in New York, NYRA must protect the integrity of the sport for our fans, the betting public, and racing participants," NYRA president and chief executive Dave O'Rourke said in a statement. "That responsibility demands the action taken today in the best interests of thoroughbred racing."

During the temporary suspension, the NYRA said it will not accept entries or provide stall space to anyone employed by Bob Baffert Racing Stables at Belmont Park, Saratoga, or Aqueduct.

Reached by email, Baffert's attorney, Craig Robertson, wrote: "I am just now reviewing the NYRA decision and then I will discuss it with Bob, along with all of his legal options. No formal statement or decision until both of those take place."

Baffert, who did not plan to have a starter in the Belmont Stakes prior to the suspension of his runners, has sent out 362 runners at NYRA tracks with 98 wins, including 41 Grade 1 victories and earning more than $24.34 million.

In its decision, the NYRA said it took into account failed drug tests in the recent past by horses trained by the Hall of Fame trainer, resulting in penalties leveled by regulators in Kentucky, California, and Arkansas.

The NYRA said it will base a final determination regarding the length and terms of the suspension on information revealed during the ongoing investigation in Kentucky.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is awaiting a split-sample result from Medina Spirit before scheduling a stewards' hearing if the split sample confirms the initial finding.

Baffert announced May 9 that the Kentucky Derby winner had tested positive for 21 picograms per milliliter of blood or plasma of the banned corticosteroid betamethasone. That same day, Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, announced it would not accept entries from Baffert.

Medina Spirit finished third in the Preakness Stakes as the Maryland Jockey Club accepted entries from Baffert after subjecting his starters in Graded stakes to three rounds of testing.

Baffert, a two-time Triple Crown winner, is based in California and among the horses he had considered shipping to New York for the Belmont Stakes undercard was Charlatan for the Metropolitan Handicap.

Credit: Tim Nwachukyu (Getty Images)

The Grade 1 winner has not raced since finishing second in the $20m Saudi Cup in February.

"The plan has been to run in the Met Mile," said Jack Wolf, founder and managing partner of Starlight Racing. "Tom Ryan [of SF] is the managing partner and he will have to sit down with Bob and the rest of us to see if we want to run in the Met Mile and how it would be best accomplished.

"If Bob is suspended, we probably would have to find a different trainer to handle him, but that’s not a decision for me to make."

Read more on this subject:

Baffert: Kentucky Derby winner's positive test down to treatment for dermatitis

Kentucky Derby winner under scrutiny after positive post-race test

Bob Baffert vows to prevent further positive tests after 'difficult' year

Rombauer upsets Medina Spirit to land Preakness for emotional connections

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