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- Several gamblers have filed a class lawsuit against horse trainer Bob Baffert and the owners of Medina Spirit
- Gamblers claim they would have made a fortune if Medina Spirit hadn’t raced at Kentucky Derby and won while on banned substance.
- More sports coverage from BroBible here.
Several gamblers are taking aim at horse trainer Bob Baffert after it was revealed Medina Spirit is facing disqualification for its Kentucky Derby run after testing positive for a banned substance.
Earlier this week, Derby officials announced Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone, a Class C drug and were awaiting a second test to determine if they were going to DQ the horse from the race.
Bob Baffert says Medina Spirit, winner of the Kentucky Derby has tested positive for betamethasone, a Class C drug. Insists he has no idea how it got into the horse's system and will investigate. Horse is not DQ'd from Derby until split sample result. Will run in Preakness.
— Dana O'Neil (@DanaONeilWriter) May 9, 2021
While initially pleading ignorance, Baffert would later admit that an anti-fungal ointment to treat a skin infection on Medina Spirit was the likely cause of the positive test.
🚨 BREAKING: Bob Baffert has released an official statement claiming that anti-fungal ointment used to treat dermatitis on Medina Spirit may have caused the failed test.
Full Statement: https://t.co/84sNAX5c4T pic.twitter.com/MyGnlxGuBx
— Dan Lust, Esq. 🎙 (@SportsLawLust) May 11, 2021
According to TMZ, several gamblers are suing Baffert, his company, and Zedan Racing, owners of Medina Spirit for fraud and racketeering.
The gamblers in the lawsuit claim they had bet thousands on the horse that finished in 2nd place, Mandaloun, and if Baffert hadn’t entered a dirty horse into the race they would have made tens of thousands of dollars in profit.
Via TMZ
One plaintiff, Michael E. Beychok, says he bet nearly $1,000 on Mandaloun, which went off at 26 to 1 odds … and if Mandaloun would have won the race, the payout would have been anywhere between $10,000 and $100,000.
Another plaintiff, Justin Wunderler, bet $2,000 “and would have provided a minimum potential payoff of at least $40,000.”
“Plaintiff Wunderler’s wagers would have won, but for the illegal, drug-induced win by Medina Spirit. Thus, Plaintiff Wunderler is entitled to bring a civil action against Defendants.”
There are more plaintiffs involved with similar stories … and attorneys are actively looking for more angry bettors to join the suit.