Why Aren’t Bob Baffert’s Horses Running the Kentucky Derby?

Bob Baffert's horses are ineligible to run the 2024 Kentucky Derby

The 150th Run for the Roses won't see Baffert's horses in the competition because of a suspension that dates back to 2021.

That two-year suspension was extended by one year. The original punitive action was taken after Baffert's 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit failed a post-race drug test and had his win disqualified. That horse died later that year under unknown circumstance, though the preliminary cause of death was a heart attack, according to autopsy reports.

Since then, Baffert's horses have competed in the 2022 and 2023 Kentucky Derby after owners of his horses transferred their horses to another trainer.

While Baffert won't be able to compete in the 2024 Kentucky Derby, his hroses are eligible for the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes — the two other legs of horse racing's Triple Crown.

An owner affiliated with Baffert attempted to sue last month for the right to compete in the Kentucky Derby. That case failed in the state of Kentucky.

That means Arkansas Derby winner Muth — the trainer's top horse this year — won't be able to compete in the Kentucky Derby.

The Kentucky Derby is only eligible to three-year old thoroughbreds, meaning Muth will never have the chance to compete at the sport's preeminent event.

Baffert has not been found for any infractions since 2021. The trainer has a checkered history as it relates to doping, including several horses that have failed drug tests or died under his auspice.

Muth had been scheduled to be among the favorites before officially being barred last month. The favorites this year are now Sierra Leone and Fierceness, whose trainers are Chad Brown and Todd Pletcher, respectively.