NYRA Must Cover Baffert’s Trial Costs, Says Judge

There have been some interesting developments in the legal battle between trainer Bob Baffert and the New York Racing Association this week. The news is that federal judge Bagley Anon of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York has ruled that NYRA must cover the costs and attorney fees for Mr. Baffert’s appeal on his ban from the association.

In May this year, the association implemented a ban on Mr. Baffert after it became known that one of his horses, Medina Spirit, has tested positive for the regulated anti-inflammatory medicine betamethasone after the horse won the Kentucky Derby. However, the trainer denied that the horse has been injected with betamethasone, and decided to seek an appeal of the ban.

Judge’s Ruling

Judge Bagley Anon of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York has now ruled that the association will have to pay the trainer approximately US$110,000 in attorney fees and costs related to his appeal. In the ruling, the judge elaborated that several precedents determine Mr. Baffert is entitled to attorneys’ fees and costs.

She wrote that precedents were applicable to the trainer’s case, in which she ruled that the association has violated Mr. Baffert’s due-process rights when she granted him the preliminary injunction in July. After the greenlighting of the preliminary injunction, NYRA implemented protocols for internal hearing and launched a complaint against the trainer. The hearing will be held on January 24, 2022.

The trainer was looking for compensation in the size of US$160,000 for attorney fees and costs related to his case. However, Ms. Bagley’s ruling is also based on arguments from the association that the requested fees were based on unreasonable fees, thus ruling the US$110,000. Mr. Baffert was granted the preliminary injunction in July, which allowed him to have horses participating in the Saratoga Race Course meet.

Shortly, after the ruling from the judge, NYRA representative Patrick McKenna released a statement. In which, he explained that the association remains focused on protecting the integrity of the Thoroughbred sport in the state and ensuring that it is conducted safely. Due to that, the association will conduct an independent hearing on January 24 to determine if the trainer has acted in a way to endanger the sport and its horses.

Another Legal Battle

Another case that involved the New York Racing Association was the one of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, who was found guilty of underpaying staff at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. The U.S. District Court in Brooklyn determined that the defendant and the company must pay US$563,800 in back wages and liquidate damages to over 170 staff members.

Holiday Special

On a slightly different tone, recently, NYRA prepared for this year’s holiday season. The association announced the return of NYRA Bets Gift Cards for a limited time only. The cards are perfect gifts for enthusiasts of the Thoroughbred races and they can be acquired at Stewart’s Shops locations across Saratoga County. Credits from the cards can be used exclusively on NYRA Bets.

Source: Hegartly, Matt “Judge rules NYRA must pay Baffert attorney fees”, DRF, December 15, 2021