Written by Peter J. Sacopulos
First published in North American Trainer issue 56 – Summer 2020
From the Racetrack to the Courtroom
In the wake of a 2019 New York Times article revealing Justify had tested positive for a banned substance on race day, Ruis Racing has filed a lawsuit against the California Horse Racing Board. Peter J. Sacopulos explains the facts behind the case.
Justify’s victory in the 2018 Santa Anita Derby served as the springboard for trainer Bob Baffert’s second Triple Crown triumph. In the wake of the 2019 New York Times article revealing the colt had tested positive for a banned substance on race day, Ruis racing has filed a lawsuit against the California Horse Racing Board. Ruis claims the CHRB failed to do its duty, and the 2018 victory and the $600,000 first-place purse rightfully belong to Bolt d’Oro.
A Duel at Santa Anita
As the starting bell sounded for the million-dollar Santa Anita Derby on April 7, 2018, folks who knew racing knew the contest was likely to come down to a duel between two horses: Bold d’pro and Justify. Both were big, beautiful and born to run. Bolt d’pro, owned/trained by Mike Ruis and ridden by Javier Castellano, had experience on his side. Justify, trained by Bob Baffert, had only two races to his credit, but the handsome colt had won both and was already tagged as a rising star. A first- or second-place finish in Santa Anita would guarantee a spot in the Kentucky Derby and Baffert, who had captured the Triple Crown with American Pharaoh only three years earlier, publicly hinted that his latest protege could go all the way as well.
Baffert’s confidence seemed well placed when Justify, ridden by Mike E. Smith, took an early lead. Having firmly established themselves in second place, Castellano and Bolt d’Oro made their move in the final turn. With announcer Mike Worna describing the match as “prodigious talent versus established class,” Bolt d’Oro closed the gap and appeared ready to nose it out. But Justify spring ahead in the final furlong, and prodigious talent won the day in an electrifying climax.
Read the full story on how a race becomes a case, and the science behind the substance.
