Riding legends Smith and Velazquez stand by Bob Baffert as hearing continues

Hall of Fame riders Mike Smith and John Velazquez said the much-scrutinised Bob Baffert is not a threat to the integrity of the sport when they testified in the ongoing doping hearing against the trainer.

Baffert, one of the most successful and recognisable figures in US racing, has been under fire in recent years following a number of positive tests from horses in his stable. Those horses include last year's ill-fated Kentucky Derby hero Medina Spirit, whose post-race sample included betamethasone – a banned substance on raceday.

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) took action against Baffert, banning him from saddling runners at Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga last year, only for that ruling to be lifted by a federal court.

The same organisation has brought disciplinary action against Baffert with charges containing allegations dating back to July 2019, since when there have been seven drug violations concerning Baffert-trained horses.

Baffert was accused of taking "a wrecking ball to the integrity" of racing on day one of the hearing on Monday, but Smith and Velazquez, two high-profile riders for the trainer, disagreed with such an assertion when they were called to testify on Wednesday.

Mike Smith: has ridden many Bob Baffert-trained stars, including ArrogateCredit: Benoit Photo

Smith described Baffert as "very straightforward, very honest and very truthful", adding: "If he doesn't like the way I rode, he's the first to tell me."

In response to the final question during direct examination, Smith said he did not believe Baffert was a threat to the integrity of racing or the safety of horses. Velazquez responded in a similar vein, adding he did not believe the health and welfare of jockeys is at risk.

After the NYRA concluded its case seeking the suspension of Baffert, the trainer's legal team raised a motion for a directed verdict, suggesting there is insufficient evidence for the jury to reach a different conclusion.

They argued the prior judicial decision against Baffert's rule violations meant the matter had already been decided, adding another penalty cannot be issued for the same infractions. Baffert's attorney Clark Brewster also cited the trainer's free speech rights to support his motion, but it was reserved for a later ruling.

Henry Greenberg, attorney for the NYRA, called four witnesses during the day's session to prove the lengths the association goes to promote human and equine safety, as well as highlighting the backlash following last year's Kentucky Derby.

Anthony Patricola, a NYRA investigator since 2017, said: "Use of a pain masking agent would absolutely affect my ability to know a horse has an underlying injury and lead to its breakdown on the track."

On cross examination, Patricola said he had not identified a problem or breakdown with a Baffert-trained horse and was unaware of any violations while those horses were in New York.

Read more . . .

Baffert hearing: expert says dosage could have improved Medina performance

Bob Baffert disciplinary hearing kicks off with explosive opening day

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday