WaPo on Justify/Baffert (and previously unseen CHRB/CA AG documents)

[TempletonPeck]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/06/29/bob-baffert-justify-triple-crown-failed-drug-test-california/

\"A 23-page analysis of that case, sent to the CHRB by a California deputy attorney general in July and obtained by The Post, suggests the state’s lawyers were concerned about the way the agency responded to the failed drug test. A court, the state’s lawyer wrote, \'could find that the CHRB abused its discretion and acted in a manner that was arbitrary, capricious, or entirely lacking in evidentiary support.\'\"

Something in there for everyone, but it sure feels like a distinction without a difference when Rick Arthur (\"California’s medical equine director, who the documents show played a central role in the scuttling of the Justify matter\") says, \"\'The way this case was handled was not a favor for Bob Baffert, the way this case was handled was out of respect for Justify.\'\"

[HP]

Wow. Arthur looks terrible, but he’s retiring. Lots of dead ends. It’s clear from this that California isn’t going to lay a glove on Baffert short of having him dope horses right in front of the grandstand. He’ll be back, just a matter of where and when. Ugh.

[kencbs]

In response to Baffert\'s lawsuit against NYRA, the Jockey Club has filed a request to provide additional info to support NYRA.  Per their legal request, \"The Jockey Club possesses a unique perspective on issues involved in this litigation and is in a position to supply information that should be helpful to the court and its decision-making.\"

I vaguely recall a few years ago that, in a private meeting with the Jockey Club, Steve RunAllday laid out what was going on regarding PEDs and drugs and didn\'t hold anything back.  First, is my memory correct?  If so, do you have an opinion as to whether any of what he said may come out in this friend-of-the-court filing?  Are you able to comment on this?

Thanks, Ken

[TGJB]

I don’t have any particular insight here, but It’s highly unlikely anything like that will be in their brief, or considered relevant.

[jerry]

I doubt Scopolamine moved Justify up by very much if any. It’s already been reclassified downward. In this case I don’t think Arthur’s decision was unjustified.