Bob Baffert is eyeing the Kentucky Derby 2024 after his thoroughbred Imagination held the second-place finish in the qualifying Santa Anita Park Derby a few weeks ago. But the ongoing suspension inflicted on him has made the situation much more complex. Nonetheless, Baffert is not going to lose his edge on his participation in the stellar Derby show of the year as it might give him his seventh victory.
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As Kentucky Derby 2024 is 18 days away, Baffert might have a final verdict to seal the fate of Muth’s participation in the contest. On 15th April 2024 in Jefferson County Circuit Court, Judge Mitch Perry argued for another hearing where Amr Zedan and Churchill Downs will have to reconvene.
That could be a relief for Bob Baffert, as the Kentucky Derby 2024 appearing horses should be present at Churchill Downs by April 27. Noticing this emergency, Judge Perry commented, “The court has been put in a time crunch.” Furthermore, Muth’s increasing odds for the Kentucky Derby 2024 might also find solace after this announcement.
This year after his victory in Santa Anita Park in January, Muth’s future odds took a form of 12-1 from 40 to 1. That resounding comeback made the Baffert-trained horse one of the top favorites for the 150th Kentucky Derby. But as of now, the situation is standing in a quicksand state.
The odds and evens of working toward the Kentucky Derby 2024
As of now, both Muth and Imagination are standing in a complicated situation. Both the horses would have reached the 100 qualifying score if there was not any suspension active on the ground. Meanwhile, this clause was used on Monday in the court. Zedan Racing’s lawsuit claimed that Bob Baffert bought Muth in 2022 with an expectation of his suspension being ended much before the Kentucky Derby 2024.
But Churchill Downs’ repeated attempts to extend the suspension tenure have loomed over the future of Muth. So dismissing a further such attempt, the lawsuit flouted Churchill Downs’ legal statute to request for such action. Statements like this might increase the chances of revoking Bob Baffert’s suspension order. On the other hand, the good things are still waiting for a shimmering as the betting has not started in a full slaying mode. But Muth is going to raise the upheaval from his previous standing on the baiting form.
