Judge Wingate did a thorough job of knocking down the defense's argument, point by point.  It's typical of Baffert, though, to try to squirm out of accountability.  

I think you have a valid point, Tex, and I hope you are correct.

A clean, squared away sport has a chance to reinvigorate itself.  

The industry has no chance if it continues to refuse to police itself and needs the courts to do the job for them.  When do you see NFL, NBA, NHL, etc participants use the legal system to avoid penalties?  

Why I used the word "maybe".  It's not the court's job to save racing.  But is their job to disallow appeals if the arguments aren't convincing enough.

The judge didn't say it exactly word for word but I read it as "I know in the past you'd all come here and we'd just automatically rubber-stamp stays and appeals so you never have to serve any penalties. Guess what, that tradition should never have started, but regardless of that, I'm ending it today."

Kentucky has a history of enabling this stuff (two words: ALEX HARTHILL) so it's about time somebody takes a stand.

I wish it was gonna be true. Agree with you but seen alot of bad decisions/coverup in this sport I do care about. Been an owner/patron for 40yrs. Just wish it may actually be right.

Take a little vacation, Boo-Hoo. 

He would look better behind those bars

And finally the owners have run out of options to get in the Derby with Bob... 

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/257569/messier-other-baffert-3-year-olds-to-join-other-barns

I predicted this from the beginning. The horses would stay in his barn until the final round of prep races (the 100 point ones) since those are the only preps that really matter.  Win and you're in...

When you can’t run the horses  under an assistant,run them under a former assistant.Way to think outside,but right up against the box.

Thanks for posting this, Tex!  I have been waiting for weeks to know details......who/where etc., and this is very interesting.  Tim Yakteen and Rudy are inexperienced as regards the Derby, but they now have some quality colts.  Doppelganger going to Ark is a smart move, as those horses are a cut below the others, imho.  He should go off as favorite, and give the filly a battle.  Could end up a player in the Derby.

Now how contested will the Santa Anita Derby be?  Forbidden Kingdom and Messier?  McLaren Vale is definitely a promising prospect, but needs a two turn race, and going against those two seems crazy to me, but who knows?  Maybe he's good enough?  And will any other colts be entered?  Might be a 5 horse race at most!

Don't think Black Adder is fast enough, may have more competition in the Jack Ruby anyway.....we'll see.  Looks like Pinehurst is staying BB at the moment, running on the other side of the world, no chance for points.

Can't believe nothing was mentioned about his fillies.....