Bob Baffert facing new hearing after positive test on Merneith at Del Mar

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, already facing several positive post-race drug test results on his horses this year, has another hearing scheduled on a failed test.

The California Horse Racing Board (CHR) has filed a complaint against Baffert after Merneith tested positive for dextrorphan following an allowance optional claiming race, in which he finished runner-up, at Del Mar on July 25.

A split sample confirmed the original violation and a hearing is scheduled for November 12, according to Baffert's attorney, W Craig Robertson III.

Dextrorphan is a metabolite of dextromethorphan, which the Association of Racing Commissioners International classifies as a Class 4 violation for foreign substances. Class 1 drugs have the highest potential to affect performance, while Class 5 drugs at the other end of the scale are considered to have little impact.

Class 4 drugs include therapeutic medications and corticosteroids, antihistamines, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at concentrations greater than established limits.

Dextromethorphan calls for a Class B penalty, the second-highest on the scale. The drug is commonly found in cough syrups and cold medications, but can also be administered to racehorses for other reasons, such as to address cribbing. It is not listed among the accepted medications of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium's list of controlled therapeutic medications for use in racing.

"The groom that had Merneith had Covid-19, and when he came back, he was treating a cough with Dayquil and Nyquil," said Robertson.

"We believe that's how the horse came into contact with that substance because you would never give a cough suppressant to a horse. It's just another case of contamination."

Justify: Triple Crown winner tested positive for scopolamine following 2018 Santa Anita DerbyCredit: Michael Reaves

Baffert faces another a hearing on Thursday relating to Justify showing the presence of scopolamine in his test results following his victory in the 2018 Santa Anita Derby.

Charlatan and Gamine, other Baffert horses, have been the subject of medication positives in 2020. Gamine tested positive for betamethasone after her third-place finish in the Kentucky Oaks last month at Churchill Downs, although split sample results have not yet been returned.

Robertson said in a statement this month that the betamethasone was given outside the recommended 14-day withdrawal guidelines for the medication.

Gamine and Charlatan showed the presence of lidocaine following on-track victories on May 2 at Oaklawn Park that subsequently resulted in their disqualifications. In those cases, Baffert said contamination was caused by a back-pain patch worn by one of his employees.

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