Preakness Stakes 2023: The Ultimate Guide to America's Second Jewel of the Triple Crown, Bob Baffert’s return
2023 Preakness Stakes Everything you need to know from Bob Baffert’s return to race favorites
Race Favorites Revealed for 2023 Preakness Stakes Who Will Emerge as the Top Contender?
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert will return to this year’s Preakness Stakes after serving a lengthy suspension from the sport. CNN NEWS reveals
The 70-year-old was banned from all three Triple Crown races last year after his horse, Medina Spirit, tested positive for betamethasone – an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid sometimes used to relieve joint pain – during the Kentucky Derby in 2021.
The two-time Triple Crown winner has been tangled in a legal battle ever since, but his horses are once again eligible to participate in the 148th running of the Preakness.
However, Baffert’s return coincides with a difficult time for the sport.
Eight horses died at Churchill Downs – home of the Kentucky Derby – last month, with questions around animal welfare overshadowing this year’s middle jewel of the Triple Crown – which consists of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
The odds are from the Preakness official website and are correct as of 7 a.m. ET on May 20.
National Treasure 3-1
Chase the Chaos 30-1
Mage 4-5
Coffeewithchris 20-1
Red Route One 8-1
Perform 12-1
Blazing Sevens 5-1
Bob Baffert returns
Any notion that this would be a triumphant return for Baffert were squashed by the trainer himself, who said the last year had been very difficult.
In an interview with The Athletic, Baffert said he wasn’t bitter from his suspension but argued that authorities “hung me out to dry.”
“What I went through, it wasn’t fun, but I just move forward. I don’t look back,” he said.
“We throw the word ‘doping’ around so loosely and no one corrects anyone. No one says anything. We don’t push back.
“We didn’t inject the horse. It was in an ointment. People in the industry understand, but we use that word, and no one corrects them.”
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