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New York Racing Officials Suspend Baffert, Bar Medina Spirit From Belmont Stakes

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has suspended Bob Baffert, barring his horses from the Belmont Stakes as well as any event at Belmont Park or Saratoga Race Course this summer.

The NYRA said in a statement that the suspension is simply not a reaction to Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit testing positive for betamethasone earlier this month. Rather, the decision takes "into account the fact that other horses trained by Mr. Baffert have failed drug tests in the recent past, resulting in the assessment of penalties against him by thoroughbred racing regulators in Kentucky, California, and Arkansas.