Bob Baffert-trained horse to run Preakness after Kentucky Derby denial

The owner of Muth, the winner of the Arkansas Derby, said Thursday he's focusing on the Preakness Stakes after a judge denied the horse entry into next week's Kentucky Derby.

Owner Amr Zedan asked the Kentucky Court of Appeals to allow Muth into the race, and that emergency injunction was denied Wednesday by Judge Jeff Taylor. Muth is trained by Bob Baffert, who is suspended at Churchill Downs through the end of the year.

The suspension was imposed after another horse owned by Zedan and trained by Baffert, Medina Spirit, won the Kentucky Derby in 2021 but was stripped of the title after failing a post-race drug test.

Baffert was suspended for two years, but last July, Churchill Downs extended the punishment through 2024. In his court case, Zedan contended he invested millions on seven horses, including Muth, with the belief they could be eligible for the 2024 Kentucky Derby because Baffert would be off suspension by the time of the race, the Louisville Courier Journal reported.

Now, Zedan said in a news release Thursday that he will ready his stable for the Preakness -- the second leg of the Triple Crown. The race is set for May 18 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

"I had the pleasure of speaking with Alex Rankin, the chairman of Churchill Downs, and I congratulated him on the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby and wish him and racing fans around the world a competitive, captivating and safe race," Zedan said. "I look forward to bringing Muth to the Preakness."

The 71-year-old Baffert has won six editions of the Kentucky Derby. The Hall of Fame member trained two Triple Crown winners, American Pharoah and Justify.