Mike Francesa joined Brian Kilmeade on FOX News Primetime Monday night to discuss horse racing. Kilmeade did a segment on trainer Bob Baffert being banned from Churchill Downs after his horse, Medina Spirit, tested positive for steroids.
The Sports Pope did not hold back. He started by praising Baffert for his brilliant career. Francesa even mentioned that the legendary horse trainer has never been anything but kind to him. Then came the criticism.
“He has had more excuses than just about anybody, and I heard the ARod tape before,” Mike Francesa said referring to a video Kilmeade played before introducing the former WFAN host. “They always say they aren’t guilty. They are guilty. You ask them questions. They’re always guilty.”
It’s a broad brush, but Francesa has been around sports for a long time. He is particularly invested in horse racing. He is literally invested in the sport too and knows Baffert’s reputation in professional circles.
“He had never heard of this drug or never used it on his horse? His filly in the Kentucky Oaks in 2020 was found guilty of using this same substance, betamethasone. So, I mean, he knows the drug. I mean, it’s so sad for the business.”
Medina Spirit won the Kentucky Derby, but that victory was suspended after the positive drug test. While it doesn’t effect any of the money bet on the race, it does eliminate the opportunity for horse racing to see another Triple Crown winner in 2021.
Francesa says that is a problem for the sport, because the Kentucky Derby is the only race guaranteed to have major national attention. Once the chance of a Triple Crown winner is eliminated, casual interest in the sport disappears.
Mike is 1000% correct… This is not good at all for horse racing & because Bob Baffert’s name is involved makes this even worse..