Zedan Racing Stables has filed an appeal with the Kentucky Court of Appeals after a Circuit Court ruling denied their request for a temporary injunction to allow Bob Baffert-trained Arkansas Derby winner Muth to race in the upcoming Kentucky Derby. The stable’s motion comes after Jefferson Circuit Judge Mitch Perry expressed concerns about disrupting the milestone Derby and the need for an even playing field. Muth won a Derby qualifier but did not receive the points due to Baffert’s suspension, which was extended through 2024 because of public comments made by the Hall of Famer.
Perry noted that Zedan Racing Stables was aware of the requirements for eligible horses to be transferred to a non-suspended trainer by a certain deadline but chose to remain with Baffert. The judge emphasized the importance of upholding rules and regulations to ensure fairness in sporting events like the Kentucky Derby. Zedan Racing Stables argued in their appeal that excluding a horse based on the trainer’s public narrative rather than qualifications could taint the integrity of the race and cast doubt on the eventual winner. The appeal suggested that all of Zedan’s claims had the potential to invalidate the ban on Muth participating in the Derby.
The appeal filing acknowledged that the court had doubts about some aspects of Zedan’s claims but emphasized that none of them were considered insubstantial. Zedan Racing Stables argued that any one of their claims could provide a substantial prospect of overturning the ban on Muth’s participation in the upcoming Kentucky Derby. The appeal criticized Churchill Downs Inc. for failing to provide a credible justification for banning Muth and suggested that such actions could impact the fairness and integrity of the historic race. The stable’s pursuit of the injunction was framed as serving the public interest and ensuring a level playing field for all horses and trainers involved.
While the appeal filing highlighted the lack of a credible justification for banning Muth from the Kentucky Derby, it also emphasized the potential consequences of excluding a qualified horse based on the actions of its trainer. Zedan Racing Stables raised concerns about the impact of Churchill Downs Inc.’s decision on the perception of the Derby and the integrity of the competition. By challenging the ban through legal channels, the stable sought to address what they viewed as an unjust exclusion of a deserving contender from one of the world’s most prestigious horse races. The appeal aimed to bring attention to the potential implications of such decisions on the future of horse racing and the importance of upholding fair competition standards.
