Punt Drunk: Baffert pleads innocence over Medina Spirit scandal
Welcome to another Tuesday edition of #PuntDrunk, and by no means is it a run-of-the-mill edition. Our main focus today is over the United States with plenty of controversy sparking from the Kentucky Derby, while we also pay tribute to Melody Belle ahead of her swansong at Doomben on May 22. As always, be sure to keep up to date with all of our best bets and quaddie tips here on HorseBetting.com.au to help make Tuesday a profitable one.
Bob Baffert, please explain… again
He does it again!! Bob Baffert captures #KyDerby No. 7 with Medina Spirit. pic.twitter.com/48qorFi1Ps
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 1, 2021
For once, it is not Australian horse racing dragging the industry through the mud. Bob Baffert, one of the sport’s most infamous trainers, is currently under investigation with his Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit failing a drug test. Baffert has been suspended indefinitely by Churchill Downs, but he was quick to get on the front foot and said the results were “the biggest gut punch in racing for something I didn’t do”. The track was quick to announce that if Medina Spirit’s B sample came back with similar readings to the initial swab, then the horse would be stripped of the 2021 Kentucky Derby title. Baffert is no stranger to drug scandals, with five of his horses failing drug tests in the past 12 months alone. So if twice is a coincidence, then what does the fifth time make it?
Can Melody Belle go out on a high note?
Melody Belle has landed in QLD 🤝 pic.twitter.com/4Ki4IKTWNY
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) May 6, 2021
The Group 1 Doomben Cup on May 22 is set to be the grand finale for Kiwi superstar Melody Belle. Trainer Jamie Richards revealed that while his Group 1-winning mare would have to improve on her 10th-place finish in the Group 2 A.D. Hollindale Stakes on the Gold Coast last Saturday, he was confident she would be a formidable challenger at Doomben. If there are some sort of racing gods out there, then surely Belle will end her illustrious career on a high and defeat the likes of Zaaki, Mugatoo and Sir Dragonet. Boy, that $13 for Melody Belle looks short, though!
Tuesday racing tips – May 11, 2021
Punt Drunk’s best bet of the day
The Scott Singleton-trained Miandelle was a smart winner on debut at Scone, chasing down a tearaway leader over 1300m after giving up a 10-length head start in the home straight. The Smart Missile filly did her best work along the rails over the final 200m and was really strong going through the line, suggesting she will appreciate stepping up to the 1600m for her second career start. If there is a hot tempo, then get in the queue early, because not much can beat her.
About Punt Drunk
Welcome to Punt Drunk! Our new daily column covering all the latest horse racing and punting controversies, dramas and headline news. Have a story or gripe or issue that just grinds your gears? Just hit us up in the comments or contact us page and our jaded, punt hardened Punt Drunk staff will give it the Punt Drunk treatment it deserves. Don’t expect pleasantries or typical racing media fanboy gloss from Punt Drunk – we’re on the punt and we don’t have time to bullshit; the next is about to jump…
