LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The owner of Arkansas Derby winner Muth has sued Churchill Downs Inc. and is seeking a temporary injunction against what it called the track’s “illegal” ban of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert that keeps the colt he trained from competing in next month’s 150th Kentucky Derby.
The historic track initially suspended Baffert for two years following a failed postrace drug test by deceased colt Medina Spirit, who crossed the finish line first in the 2021 race but was later disqualified. Churchill Downs extended the ban through at least the end of 2024 in July and cited “continued concerns” about the safety and integrity of racing that Baffert posed to CDI-owned tracks.
Zedan Racing Stables filed the suit on Wednesday in Jefferson Circuit Court in Louisville and asserted that the ban of Zedan and other Baffert-trained horses from running in the milestone Derby on May 4 “has no basis in law or in fact.” A release from Zedan’s public relations firm on Wednesday suggested the ban was fueled by CDI CEO Bill Carstanjen’s personal vendetta against the two-time Triple Crown winner.
ZRS founder Amr Zedan said bringing the lawsuit is the “last thing I ever wanted or expected. But due to Bill Carstanjen’s vindictive personal vendetta against our stable’s trainer Bob Baffert — who happens to be one of the most legendary trainers in the history of our sport — the horse racing industry I revere is being compromised.”
A hearing is scheduled for Monday.
A CDI statement called Zedan’s lawsuit the latest meritless attempt to relitigate Baffert's suspension and said lifting it now would threaten the safety and integrity of races at Churchill Downs by changing the qualification rules just before the Derby.
It added: “The same issues in this complaint have been decided by the courts and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, which have repeatedly upheld Baffert’s suspension and the disqualification of Medina Spirit.”
Muth won last week’s Arkansas Derby by two lengths, but the ban denied him the 100 points that normally would automatically qualify for the Derby. The colt has won both starts as a 3-year-old and four of six career with two seconds for more than $1.5 million in earnings.
The story was first reported by the Los Angeles Times.
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FILE - In this image provided by Benoit Photo, Muth, with Juan Hernandez aboard, wins the Grade II, $200,000 San Vicente Stakes horse race Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. The owner of Arkansas Derby winner Muth has sued Churchill Downs Inc. and is seeking a temporary injunction against what it called the track’s “illegal” ban of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert that keeps the colt he trained from competing in next month’s 150th Kentucky Derby. The historic track initially suspended Baffert for two years through on June 2 following a failed postrace drug test by deceased colt Medina Spirit, who crossed the finish line first in the 2021 race but was later disqualified. (Benoit Photo via AP)
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — When Byron Murphy II was presented with the idea of moving from the higher-profile position of linebacker to playing on the defensive line as a high schooler, he was at first a little reluctant but eventually accepted the move and what it could do for his career.
His parents' reaction when told he was becoming a defensive lineman?
“When I told my parents, my parents, they went off on me. They were mad,” Murphy said with a chuckle on Thursday. “I was telling them it was going to be OK. I’m going to do good at that position.”
Clearly making the position switch ended up being the right move for Murphy after the Texas star was the second defensive player selected in last week’s NFL draft. With a run of offensive talent dominating the first half of the first round, Murphy slid into the hands of the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 16 overall pick.
For new coach Mike Macdonald and his defensive background, landing perhaps the best defensive prospect in the draft in a spot where Seattle had no expectations of getting him ended up being a coup as part of the offseason remodel of the Seahawks' defense.
“He was a guy that throughout the season we were always watching like ‘do we put ourselves in a position to where we’d be able to draft him or not?’” Seattle general manager John Schneider said. “Not having a second-round draft pick really inhibited our ability to move up to take him, so we basically prayed on it and sweated it out the other night.”
Seattle slow-played some of its interest in Murphy during the pre-draft process in part because it didn’t think he’d last until the 16th pick. His interactions with the Seahawks were limited. He wasn’t brought to Seattle for a pre-draft visit. His first time in the city was when he arrived in town for this weekend’s rookie minicamp.
His impact should be immediate, especially with Macdonald intent on rotations along the defensive line. Murphy is likely the final piece to a group that includes Leonard Williams, Dre’Mont Jones and Jarran Reed as the primary contributors.
Getting drafted by Seattle also tied Murphy to his favorite team growing up in the Dallas area. Rather than growing up a fan of the local team, Murphy was drawn to the “Legion of Boom” era of the Seahawks with the likes of Kam Chancellor, Marshawn Lynch, Michael Bennett, Bobby Wagner, Richard Sherman and Russell Wilson.
“Watching those guys go out there and dominate their opponents and win a Super Bowl, it was crazy. That’s one of my goals. I’m trying to win games and bring a Super Bowl here as well,” Murphy said.
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Seattle Seahawks 2024 first round draft pick, Byron Murphy II, center, speaks as he is introduced by general manager John Schneider, left, and head coach Mike Macdonald, right, during a news conference at the NFL team's headquarters, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks 2024 first round draft pick, Byron Murphy II, is introduced by general manager John Schneider, left, and head coach Mike Macdonald, right, during a news conference at the NFL team's headquarters, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/ John Froschauer)
The parents of Seattle Seahawks 2024 first-round NFL football draft pick Byron Murphy II, Bryon Murphy Sr., left, and mother Seneca Murphy, second from left, look at their son's jersey after a news conference at the team's headquarters Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks 2024 first-round NFL football draft pick, Byron Murphy II smiles during a news conference at the team's headquarters Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks 2024 first round draft pick, Byron Murphy II, left, listens as a head coach Mike Macdonald, right, speaks during a news conference at the NFL team's headquarters, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks 2024 first round draft pick, Byron Murphy II, smiles during a news conference at the NFL team's headquarters, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
