Spectre of Bob Baffert doping controversy hangs over Breeders' Cup in Del Mar

At a briefing in the bowels of Del Mar's grandstand on Wednesday, a who's who of US veterinary and executive officials were wheeled out to reassure the assembled media about the safety and integrity measures at the Breeders' Cup and in the state of California at large.

When the Breeders' Cup last rolled into California at Santa Anita two years ago, racing in the state was under intense pressure to justify its existence due to alarming injury and fatality rates.

Now the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) boasts one of the most thorough equine welfare and safety programmes, with its equine medical director Dr Jeff Blea saying the organisation takes these issues "to the extreme". The list of protocols is exhaustive and it smacks of proper gold standard material.