Report: Hearing Officer in Medina Spirit Derby DQ Case Recuses Himself

Wednesday, September 21, 2022 | 6:20 pm

Updated: September 21, 2022 at 7:39 pm

Trainer Bob Baffert, right, celebrates with jockey John Velazquez, left, after Medina Spirit's victory in the Grade I, $300,000 Awesome Again, Saturday, October 2, 2021 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia CA. © BENOIT PHOTO

Clay Patrick, the hearing officer assigned to the Bob Baffert-Medina Spirit Derby disqualification case, has recused himself three weeks after the appeal was heard, according to Paulick Report.

Amr Zedan's attorney Clark Brewster unknowingly bought a horse at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale that was co-owned by Patrick, who operates the family-owned Ramspring Farm.

Patrick was expected to make a recommendation on the appeal to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission within 60 to 90 days.

“After I bought the colt, I noticed how young the mare is and looked to see who owned her,” Brewster told Paulick Report. “When I saw that she had been bought by Ramspring Farm and Milam Farm, I asked Mark Taylor who that was.”

Brewster added that a new hearing officer would be appointed and either conduct another hearing or possibly use the transcripts from the first appeal.