One of Bob Baffert's horses was scratched from the Kentucky Derby on Thursday, just days away from his long-awaited return at Churchill Downs.

In 2021, at the 147th edition of the Kentucky Derby, Baffert’s horse, Medina Spirit, crossed the finish line first but was later disqualified after the colt failed a post-race drug test. Baffert appealed the disqualification (later withdrawing the appeal in January 2024) and unsuccessfully sued the track to try to overturn the suspension.