148th running of Kentucky Derby bids to leave ghosts of last year in the past

148th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1) | 1m2f | 3yo | dirt | Sky

The prologue to this year's Kentucky Derby has focused little on the athletes competing in the 148th running of America's greatest horse race and more on the ramifications brought on by what happened after the 147th edition.

That day, Medina Spirit, who changed hands as a yearling for a mere $1,000, became a record seventh winner of the first leg of the US Triple Crown for Bob Baffert, the sport's most high-profile figure and arguably its most charismatic too.

Yet, just days later Baffert was holding an impromptu press conference outside his barn having been informed of a positive drugs test for Medina Spirit, which showed the presence of the banned raceday medication betamethasone, an anti-inflammatory.

The revelation built on a foundation of previous misdemeanours for banned raceday medications for Baffert in the previous 18 months, which had prompted a mea culpa statement in which he promised to do better and put in place systems to prevent future problems just months before Medina Spirit's own failed test.

What followed was a whirlwind of court actions, disciplinary hearings, media scrutiny and bizarre television interviews in which Baffert blamed "cancel culture" for the suspension put in place on him by Churchill Downs Inc, the owner of the fabled home of the Kentucky Derby.

Medina Spirit: late star was stripped of his win in the race last yearCredit: Tim Nwachukyu (Getty Images)

In the end, Medina Spirit was stripped of his victory in the Classic – done posthumously after the three-year-old died of a suspected heart attack during training at Santa Anita in December – while Baffert's two-year ban from Churchill Downs was supplemented with a 90-day suspension by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

In addition, a disciplinary judge has recommended the trainer is suspended from tracks in New York for two years after an ill-tempered hearing.

The suspension is still to be approved by New York officials and Baffert is likely to appeal, but judge O Peter Sherwood said in his ruling that the trainer had "engaged in a pattern and practice of unlawful conduct that has no parallel in modern racing".

The controversy around Baffert comes as American racing is also recovering from the FBI investigation into a widespread doping ring, for which one of the key players, former trainer Jorge Navarro, was jailed for five years.

Even with Baffert set aside – his normal barn has been reassigned and the plaques commemorating his six previous Derby winners have been removed – his presence will still be felt in the race with two of his former trainees set to line up.

Taiba, representing Medina Spirit's owner Amr Zedan, and Messier will be saddled by Tim Yakteen, a low-profile trainer and former assistant to Baffert who has trained since 2004.

Yakteen has a reputation for succinct answers, summing up the wellbeing of his two recent arrivals by saying: "Things are good. Thumbs up."

Favouritism is being fought out between Zandon, winner of the Blue Grass Stakes, and Epicenter, successful in the Louisiana Derby, with each of their successful trainers seeking a first win in the Kentucky Derby.

Chad Brown: saddles Kentucky Derby leading hope ZandonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Chad Brown, trainer of Zandon, said: "He was so visually impressive in the Blue Grass and he's continued to do very well since arriving at Churchill Downs."

Epicenter's trainer Steve Asmussen said he was "not crazy" about being drawn in stall three and added: "He's very professional. Very consistent with his temperament and his stride.

"We are just wanting more of the same, just a little faster which is what he has done in every one of his starts this year and there is no reason he shouldn't carry on."

11.57 Churchill Downs: Kentucky Derby card and betting

Also lining up in Louisville is the Phoenix Thoroughbreds-owned Tiz The Bomb, who is running in the colours of trainer Kenny McPeek's Magdalena Racing.

The three-year-old had initially been earmarked for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas and the Cazoo Derby, but was scratched from the Classics due to "logistical issues" with Phoenix Thoroughbreds suspended from having runner in Britain.

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