Kentucky Derby 2024: Amr Zedan Loses $10 Million Investment as Bob Baffert and Muth Court Plea Declined

Published 04/18/2024, 7:58 PM EDT

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The horse trainer Bob Baffert’s ambition to participate in the Kentucky Derby 2024 has remained a complex situation. In the tug-of-war between Amr Zedan and Churchill Downs Inc., the Jefferson County court has proceeded with a stringent order. The order did not favor either Amr Jedan, Bob Baffert’s client, or Churchill Downs Inc.. Rather, the ruling was directed at several introspects. 

Keeping a staunch eye on the Kentucky Derby’s nomination date in 2024, Judge Mitch Perry detailed a 10-page ruling on Thursday. The ruling did not accommodate a ban on the ongoing injunction on Bob Baffert’s participation in the Kentucky Derby. Furthermore, it did not relieve the owner of Muth, Amr Zedan, to overturn Muth’s fate to earn the necessary qualifying points from the Arkansas Derby earlier. 

As a result, the Saudi Arabian business owner Zedan will lose the $10.7 million that was banked on Muth and the other five horses as the price value. But Amr Zedan is not someone to lose hope this early. After the ruling came into reality, the entrepreneur’s side vouched for something

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With the final ruling coming into place, Zedan Racing stated to continue the legal fight to overturn the court’s latest judgment. Moreover, it narrated that the agency is determined to see Muth racing in the 150th Kentucky Derby in 2024 full of ecstasies. However, CDI welcomed Mitch Perry’s decision to fortify the ban order on Muth.

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Adding to that, the authority took a dig at Amr Zedan by calling him a sufferer of ‘Derby Fever’. But where did this battle start that even loomed over a Hall of Famer’s existing career? 

A Kentucky Derby from the past pinches salt in 2024 

Being a pro-verbal horse trainer in the Kentucky Derby, Bob Baffert never ran short of confidence in winning bouts in the said contest. Rather, his six victories from the past have tied him with Ben Jones, having the most wins by any trainer. However, his last experience in the Derby in 2021 extended the pain. 

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At that time, Baffert’s trained horse Medina Spirit was found to have taken a banned medication on the race day. So, Bob Baffert had faced a suspension order, active for two years. But, extending the complications, CDI later increased the suspension period by one year, believing Baffert’s nonchalance to come out clean. Meanwhile, being the owner of Medina Spirit, Amr Zedan’s foundation continued their legal battle to change the fate, but then Muth entered the situation. 

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Meanwhile, Amr Zedan bought Muth, especially for the Kentucky Derby 2024. The belief was on the closure of the suspension period earlier than the Derby. But in reality, things panned out differently. Now Zedan’s attorneys questioned CDI’s power to extend the suspension period abruptly. But after Thursday, that logic has seemed to fall short of overturning the meted-out judgment. 

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Written by:

Prasun Chakrabarty

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Prasun Chakrabarty is an Olympic Sports Writer for EssentiallySports, who specializes in covering aquatic arena events. Post his experiences with popular publications including PinkVilla, Prasun began his days in ES, by actively covering two prime events - 2023 US Open Swimming Championships and the 2024 TYR Pro Swim Series. Prasun's coverage extends beyond the pool, and he takes specific interest in the progress of the triangular rivalry between track and field stars, Sha’Carri Richardson, Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. You can follow him on:-
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Edited by:

Sampurna Pal