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Kentucky Derby Medina Spirit Class Action Lawsuit Overview:
- Who: Bettors from last year’s Kentucky Derby are suing horse trainer Bob Baffert, Bob Baffert Racing, Inc. and Churchill Downs, Inc.
- Why: Those who bet on the horse that came in second place, Mandaloun, say they should now be paid out for winning first place after the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission disqualified first-place finisher Medina Spirit, saying the horse tested positive for a banned drug.
- Where: The lawsuit was filed in Kentucky.
Those who bet on the horse that came in second place in the 2021 Kentucky Derby are suing the Churchill Downs racetrack and others for what they say are their winnings after the first place winner was disqualified.
On Feb. 21, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) announced that it had disqualified first-place finisher Medina Spirit because the horse tested positive for the banned drug betamethasone, Yahoo News reports.
Those who made bets on the May 1 race want that change in finish reflected in their pockets as well, they say in the lawsuit.
The 19 plaintiffs in the case say Medina Spirit’s disqualification sets a new order of finish.
Attorney for the plaintiffs Will Nefzger said Monday his clients should get paid for what are now winning tickets for the runner-up horse, Mandaloun.
“My clients all hold pari mutuel wagers that have not been paid, and they are now winning wagers with the new order of finish,” he said. Some bets would have cashed in at over $1 million, he said.
Trainer Bob Baffert Named As Defendant In Kentucky Derby Lawsuit
The plaintiffs also name Medina Spirit’s trainer Bob Baffert as a defendant in the lawsuit. Medina Spirit died following a workout in December but a definitive cause of death was not established.
The KHRC suspended and fined trainer Bob Baffert for 90 days.
“This is something that could have been prevented, number one, by both the trainer Bob Baffert and Churchill Downs,” Nefzger said.
The lawsuit claims the track was “negligent in choosing to accept the entry of Medina Spirit” and that Baffert and others “were negligent in their care of Medina Spirit and his entry” into the Derby.
“I think Churchill Downs could implement some safety, some pre-race testing reforms, and have a system in place that prevents this from happening again,” Nefzger said.
Under Kentucky regulations, “a subsequent change in the order of finish… shall not affect the pari-mutuel payout.”
The class action comes as another group of bettors have reportedly filed separate class-action lawsuits in California and Kentucky courts against Baffert, accusing him of a variety of offenses ranging from fraud and racketeering to negligence.
The bettors are seeking compensation for money lost on the Kentucky Derby following Medina Spirit’s victory and also seek that Baffert and horse owner Amr Zedan divest themselves “of any interest (direct or indirect) in any enterprise” and that “reasonable restrictions” be imposed on their future activities in horse racing.
Do you think the Mandaloun bettors should be paid out for first place? Let us know in the comments!
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4 thoughts onKentucky Derby Bettors Sue Horse Trainer, Racetrack After Derby Winner Disqualified
I’d like to be added as well. I had a trifecta box on 7, 9, 14.
Thank you.
How can I become part of the class action lawsuit. I played Mandaloun to win and place. With Medina Spirits disqualification, I also have a two dollar exacta and a two dollar trifecta. I figure I am owed a substantial amount of money.
Add me please
Add me