A ruling in Kentucky today denied Bob Baffert's contention that a 90-day suspension will harm his business entity. The same ruling, however, stated the suspension begin April 4 which means Baffert could run his horses in Kentucky Derby preps including the important April 2 weekend. While he can train horses in those preps, the connections receive zero points towards entry into the Derby. Owners would have to decide whether to stick with Baffert or transfer to another barn prior to those races in order to qualify for said preps. He has been ruled off the grounds at Churchill Downs. If owners stick with Baffert in any Derby prep and win, they collect the purse money. The 90-day suspension is reciprocal which means all tracks in North America and selected tracks internationally will abide.
Baffert's camp will appeal today's ruling to the Kentucky appeals court.
April 2 has the Wood Memorial (NY), Arkansas Derby (AR) and Florida Derby (FL). The Santa Anita Derby (CA) and Blue Grass (KY) fall on April 9.
As a hypothetical, Baffert trains a horse and it wins the Arkansas Derby. However, he wouldn't get rewarded with the needed points (100 in this case) towards the Kentucky Derby based on banishment by Churchill Downs. If there is a switch of trainers prior to the any prep race, one person not associated with Baffert, then it is business as usual for all but Baffert which is his basic point about losing his stock.