Owner Amr Zedan issues lawsuit against Churchill Downs over Baffert ban, Kentucky Derby jockey arrangements and plans for Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River feature in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Kentucky Derby: Zedan seeks injunction to allow Muth to run
USA: In a bid to get Arkansas Derby winner Muth a run in the Kentucky Derby, leading owner Zedan Racing has filed a lawsuit against Churchill Downs seeking to overturn the ban which continues to prevent Bob Baffert from having runners.
Baffert has been persona non grata at all Churchill Downs-owned tracks since Medina Spirit tested positive for a banned raceday substance after finishing first past the post in the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
An initial two-year ban has since been extended indefinitely, in effect barring any Baffert-trained horse from America’s greatest race – among them Muth, who was a convincing winner at Oaklawn Park on Saturday [March 30].
Zedan’s claim alleges Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstenjen is conducting a “personal vendetta” and that Baffert’s suspension “has no basis in law or in fact and it cannot withstand scrutiny.” More here
Meanwhile Baffert’s 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify has been officially disqualified from first place in the Santa Anita Derby following a successful legal challenge brought by the owner of the runner-up Bolt D’Oro in the wake of the Baffert trainee failing a post-race drug test.
Kazushi Kimura to ride Japan’s T O Password
USA: Woodbine-based jockey Kazushi Kimura will have his second ride in the Kentucky Derby after he was booked to partner Japanese challenger T O Password. Kimura, who has topped the jockey standings for the last three seasons, finished 12th last year on Mandarin Hero. More here
One-time leading hope Timberlake is off the Kentucky Derby trail. The Brad Cox-trained colt will drop down in trip after being beaten into fourth behind Muth as favourite for the Arkansas Derby. More here
Kentucky Derby favorite Fierceness recorded a Beyer speed figure of 110 in his Florida Derby rimp on Saturday – the highest BSF of the year for any horse at more than a mile. More here
Laurel River to stay in Dubai with 2025 Saudi Cup likely target
Dubai: Surprise Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River will remain in Dubai and not venture overseas, with the 2025 Saudi Cup a likely target.
In the wake of the six-year-old’s 8½-length victory at Meydan on Saturday [March 30] trainer Bhupat Seemar told the Daily Racing Form: “When I did get the horse, it was more that the horse was going to stay in Dubai,” adding: “He’ll get several months off and freshen up.” More here
Rankings special: Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River catapulted into Top 5
Connections of runner-up Ushba Tesoro have confirmed the 2023 Dubai World Cup winner will be trained for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Christophe Lemaire, who was unable to ride Derma Sotogake after falling when Catnip was fatally injured in the Dubai Turf, has remained in the UAE to recover from a punctured lung, broken collarbone and ribs. Derma Sotogake finished sixth under Oisin Murphy after banging his head on the gate.
2022 St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov has undergone surgery to stabilise a neck fracture after he was injured in the stalls before the Dubai Gold Cup and is unlikely to race again. More here
Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Master Of The Seas to return at Keeneland
USA: Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Master Of The Seas is set to make his seasonal debut in the G1 Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland on April 12. Musical Act [Transylvania Stakes] and Mischief Magic [Shakertown] are among a small group of Godolphin horses who will also race at the meet for trainer Charlie Appleby.
Aussie star Zaaki retired
Australia: Zaaki, the ex-Sir Michael Stoute-trained gelding who helped launch the training career of British expat Annabel Neasham in Australia, has been retired. The nine-year-old earned more than A$11 million ($7.5m/£5.73m) from 11 victories including four G1s and the 2022 All-Star Mile. “It’s hard to put into words how special this horse is to all of us,” said Neasham. More here
Tragedy as jockey Stefano Cherchi dies two weeks after race fall
Australia: Sardinian-born jockey Stefano Cherchi died on Wednesday [April 3] two weeks after suffering a head injury and internal bleeding in a fall at Canberra.
The 23-year-old, who has ridden more than 100 winners in Britain, started riding in Australia at the beginning of January in the hope he could secure more opportunities.
Cherchi rode 38 winners for Newmarket trainer Marco Botti, who said: “It’s just devastating news for all of us. We knew it was a bad fall and we knew things didn’t look great, but you live in hope and hope for a miracle. Hopefully he’s going to a better place and we will never forget him – he will always be with us.” More here
Elsewhere in racing …
GB: Shadwell stalwart Dane O’Neill forced to retire by injuries More here
GB: Jockey Club and 1/ST Racing create links between historic races More here
Australia: NZ Oaks winner Pulchritudinous sold to join Waterhouse-Bott stable More here
GB: Top Qatari trainer to set up in Newmarket for Wathnan Racing More here
USA: Robertino Diodoro provisionally suspended by HISA More here
Macau: Curtain comes down on racing in Macau More here
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