19 April 2024 , 11:03
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The home of the Kentucky Derby has accused a prominent racehorse owner of "questionable judgement" after the latest legal attempt to lift a ban on record six-time race winner Bob Baffert failed.
An extraordinary statement from Churchill Downs, the track said Amr Zedan may have contracted a dose of "Derby fever"
“Symptoms can contribute to questionable judgement and in extreme cases can result in litigious behavior. There is no known cure.," it said.
Zedan had filed a lawsuit in Kentucky seeking an interim injunction to allow his Arkansas Derby winner Muth, which is trained by Baffert, to run in next month's Kentucky Derby.
Since 2021 In. the wake of the disqualification of the Baffert-trained and Zedan-owned Medina Spirit, who finished first past the post in the 2021 Kentucky Derby, the trainer has not been welcome at Churchill Downs.
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An initial two year suspension of the race's most successful trainer was extended last summer to cover the whole of 2024 as well, when the track hosts the 150th running of the historic race.
Zedan's representative argued in court that he had bought Muth in the expectation he could run in the 2024 Kentucky Derby when Baffert’s original ban would have expired.
But a judge denied the request, expressing concern for the connections of other runners who would have to make way for Muth if he was allowed into the field. Zedan’s representatives said they would appeal.
Medina Spirit: finishing first past the post in the 2021 Kentucky Derby (Getty)Churchill Downs responded by releasing a statement claiming Zedan had contracted a dose of ‘Derby fever’.
"We are pleased with the Court’s decision today and believe Mr Zedan may suffer from a case of 'Derby Fever,' which is known to spread with exposure to horses and is contagious this time of year,” it said.
“Symptoms can contribute to questionable judgement and in extreme cases can result in litigious behavior. There is no known cure.
“Nevertheless, we have communicated clearly about the rules of entry, which are the same for everyone and are non-negotiable. Contenders cannot sue their way into the Kentucky Derby.
“We wish Mr. Zedan well in the future and appreciate both his passion for the sport and his desire to see his horses compete on the First Saturday in May."
Muth: the Arkansas Derby winner cannot enter Kentucky Derby (Alex Evers/CSM/REX/Shutterstock)A spokesperson for Zedan Racing Stables said: "The court’s rejection of the defendant’s motion to dismiss affirms our view that it was nothing more than a transparent delay tactic aimed at ensuring its unjust ban remained in place for the 150th Kentucky Derby.
"We are pleased that the court denied that motion and turned to considering the merits of our temporary injunction motion to let one of the top-rated horses in the nation, Muth, run in the race.
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"We are disappointed in the court’s decision on our request for temporary relief, as we believe the court did not recognize the significant investment Zedan Racing has made, based on statements by Churchill Downs that if this trainer had no additional violations, Zedan Racing’s horses would be able to compete.
"We will appeal this ruling on an emergency basis as soon as possible. The goal of our effort remains to ensure our horse Muth will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in the 150th Run for the Roses on May 4th.”