(Medina Spirit and trainer Bob Baffert the day after the 2021 Kentucky Derby / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

On the eve of the Kentucky Oaks and just two days before the 148th running of the greatest race in the history of Thoroughbred racing, the Kentucky Derby, a new group that has been created, apparently for the singular purpose of defending the the character of the embattled trainer Bob Baffert, has released an attack ad against Churchill Downs and its’ President & Chief Executive Officer Bill Carstanjen.

These types of “negative campaigning” tactics are normally reserved for the underbelly of our political system these days, and, by their very nature, are designed to turn people off; piss people off; put people off by putting people down.

These types of advertisements are rarely found to be true; normally filled with absurd accusations; and are targeted in their release with one mission in mind and one goal to fulfill: hurt someone, or some thing, beyond repair and damage public perception. The aim is to create negative thoughts and vibes. The ultimate destination is to destroy — at any and all costs.

These types of public relations attempts, in my view, are the lowest form of human behavior. The. lowest.

On Thursday, a group which calls itself “Save Our SportUSA,” and has a tagline that reads “Inspiring Horseracing Fans Through Authenticity and Integrity” released its’ “first” campaign strike aimed directly at Churchill Downs and its’ leader Bill Carstanjen.

In my view, this video is disgusting, despicable, and deplorable.

In my view, the people — who have yet to identify themselves as responsible for the content and the timeliness of the release — are even worse.

In my view, the accusations against Churchill Downs and Carstanjen — who I call a personal friend and who I admire greatly — are grossly unfair and without merit or based on facts.

In my view, the attempt to defend, and salvage the character and name of Bob Baffert — who has been suspended from every racetrack in this country for a period of 90 days due to his horse’s positive test result following the 2021 Kentucky Derby and has been ruled off the grounds of both Churhcill Downs and all of NYRA’s facilities, as well, for the next two years — is purely laughable. An absolute joke. The man’s character — or lack thereof — is in plain view for all to see. Over and over and over and over. In the last 5 years, the man has had more positive test results after Graded Stakes races than anyone else in the sport. Anyone. And yet after each positive test result, the man’s response has always been the same. Deny any responsibility. Blame anyone and everyone else. Throw friend and foes; employees and contract veterinarians; anyone and everyone under the horse trailer. Just the kind of person you want in your sport, right? Just the kind of person you want in your life, huh? Just the kind of stellar character you want to polish and try to sell?

In my view, the timing of this release has absolutely nothing to do with “Inspiring Horseracing Fans,” in any way. It is aimed at hurting the sport. It is aimed at hurting the Kentucky Derby. It is aimed at crippling the one entity and the one place that has simply held Baffert accountable for yet another embarrassing positive test result, and another black eye on the greatest sporting event ever created.

In my view, “S.O.S.” could stand for something I learned a whole lot of years ago. “Sh– on a Shingle.” Tastes bad, I’m told.

To reiterate. In my view, this video is disgusting, despicable, and deplorable.

Here’s you chance to watch:

Now, if you want to know the facts? Do you want to base judgment on facts? Do you?

Well, here are the facts:

Fact #1: No Other Racetrack in the World Has Spent As Much Money on Buying, Building, Reconstruction and Investing in Live Racing in Kentucky Than Churchill Downs. No one. No. One.

Take a guess on how much money Churchill Downs has invested in live racing in Kentucky alone since the year 2014. In the last 8 years alone in the Commonwealth. Take a guess. Brave enough to, there “S.O.S?”

Since 2014, Churchill Downs has spent, invested over $1.7 billion in Kentucky alone. That’s with a “B,” mind you.

And, unlike the “Babbling Baffert Defenders,” these numbers are documented. Signed. Sealed. Delivered. Have to be. After all, Churchill Downs is a publicly traded company.

At Churchill Downs alone, the track has and will spend in its’ current construction and remodeling phases over $500,000,000.00. Since 2014, the new-look facility has 15 projects that it has either completed, or in the midst of doing right now.

And, the changes and modernization include projects from the backside to the front. From the parking lot to a newly announced paddock, that will be both state-of-the-art and much safer for both human and horse participants. The changes range from new quarantine barns and a new equine medical facility to a brand new turf course, that was just opened a week ago.

$500,000.000 at Churchill Downs.

At Derby City Gaming, which is the Historic Horse Racing venue in Louisville, the track has spent — to date — another $155,000,000. A new hotel and expansion are in the works, now.

There is a Derby City Gaming expansion into downtown Louisville, which will cost an additional $80,000,000 and is scheduled to be completed in 2023.

The track acquired a license to operate a harness racing facility in Oak Grove, KY., which sits across from Ft. Campbell in far West Kentucky. CDI spent over $200,000,000 on this racing facility — which is now considered one of the industry’s finest — and a HHR facility, which pumps millions into purses for both the Standardbred and Thoroughbred covers.

The track acquired Turfway Park in 2019 and demolished that old and dilapidated facility, in order to start anew. The new and improved Turfway Park is set to open on Sept. 1. The total cost? Venture a guess there, “S.O.S?” How about $226,000,000 for a new track surface; a new track facility and a new HHR facility.

In addition, CDI invested $38,000,000 in a stand-alone HHR facility in Newport, near the Cincinnati border. Again, a revenue stream for purses of all kinds.

Adds up to $1.7 billion in Kentucky alone. 

If the Kentucky General Assembly and its’ various legislative members went to recruit a company that was willing, and able to invest that kind of money in infrastructure alone, what do you think they would do? Both individually or collectively? How about Sen. Whitney Westerfield? What would he do? How about that investment in our Commonwealth? How about you guys in the Kentucky State Senate who would not help the Majority Floor Leader and Majority Caucus Chair in helping to get Sports Betting passed and legalized? What would you do to recruit a company like this to Kentucky?

I bet you didn’t turn down your ticket allocation to this week’s KY Oaks and KY Derby, by the way.

And, that does not even factor in the construction jobs and permanent jobs that these investments will encourage and demand.

Without a question, Churchill Downs has invested more in Kentucky than any other business. Any. Other.

Fact #2: No Other Racetrack in the World Has Invested More in Conducting & Improving Live Racing Throughout the United States Than Churchill Downs. No one. No. One.

Despite the bull crap that “S.O.S.” tries to sell in that ill-informed and pathetic excuse for a video and attack ad, Churchill Downs has spent more on purchasing and conducting live racing in this country than any other racetrack or racetracks.

Since 2004, when Churchill Downs purchased the Fair Grounds in New Orleans up into just recently, when the track and its’ affiliated businesses purchased Colonial Downs in Virginia, CDI has now spent and is spending $2,761,900,000 billion in racing venues throughout this country.

Again, dollars all documented.

Fact #3: Between Kentucky and the Rest of the United States? Churhcill Downs Has Invested More In Live Racing Than All Other Tracks. All. Every One. Every. One.

If you need help adding up the numbers, Churchill Downs has spent over $4.46 billion in infrastructure and purchases alone.

Ask the rest of the racing world to document its’ numbers.

Ask the rest of the racing world to invest the same.

Want the Thoroughbred industry to thrive?

You found the one entity that has put its’ money on the table and in the game.

Fact #4: Since 2004, in the Last 18 Years, Churchill Downs Has Invested An Average — Average — of $212.50 Million Per Year.

Bet that’s more than the baffling and babbling Bob Baffert. Bet you.

Just saying there, S.O.S.

Fact #5: “S.O.S.” Likes to Point Out That Churchill Downs Sold Hollywood Park; Calder Racecourse & Closed Arlington Park. Truth Is?

First of all, Churchill Downs sold Hollywood Park long before it was ever converted to a development parcel. Wasn’t on their watch. Period. On July 6, Churchill Downs sold the property to Bay Meadows Land Company for $260,000,000. The agreement called for the track to be maintained for a minimum of 3 years. S.O.S. fails to mention that. Hmmm.

Second of all, when the State of Florida deregulated race dates and allowed the racetracks to self-police and decide when they wanted to run, it was Gulfstream Park and its’ hierarchy that chose to race year-round. Gulfstream knew what it was doing. Gulfstream had one motive in mind. One. It was Gulfstream Park’s intention and desire to put both Hialeah and Calder on the death watch, and, ultimately, out of business. Simply put, the other two tracks could not compete straight up; day to day; race for race. Couldn’t get the horses; couldn’t get the horse people; couldn’t stay alive.

That’s not on Churchill Downs. Sorry, S.O.S. Facts hurt, don’t they?

Finally, there’s the matter of Arlington Park. Churchill Downs — a publicly traded company — has said for years that the property would — one day; some day — be worth more than it could afford to turn down. Not news.

That day came last year.

Is it sad? Yeah, it’s sad.

Terribly sad. Heartbreaking. But not unique or unusual.

I loved going to watch the Cincinnati Reds at old Crosley Field. It’s where I fell in love with the game. It’s where I fell in love with the image of baseball. It no longer exists. Gone. I covered the Cincinnati Reds as a baseball writer at the old Riverfront Stadium. Got to see many memorable moments — including the night that Pete Rose broke Ty Cobb’s record. It no longer exists. Gone.

I remember the day my family moved from the first house I ever remembered. I cried tears. Many tears.

I also remember going to the old Hialeah and hanging out with Woody Stephens, all day long. Gone.

I also remember going to the old and original Arlington Park. Burned to the ground. Gone.

Things change. Times change. You and I may not like it, but we didn’t own Arlington Park and we don’t get a vote.

But guess what? Has anyone ever thought about asking Churchill Downs to buy and build another track in another location in Illinois? Any one? Seems to me if the math works and makes sense, then it could happen. After all, they have recently purchased tracks in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and other racing interests in New Hampshire.

Fact #6: Why Is “S.O.S.” Now Releasing An Attack Ad on Churchill Downs? It’s Pretty Simple. The Only Way Bob Baffert Can Look Better Is To Attempt to Make His “Disciplinarian” Look Worse. Won’t Work.

For the first time, Bob Baffert is getting what he has deserved for several years now. He is being disciplined for having horses test positive and over the legal limits permitted by state laws and regulations.

His horse, Justify, was found with a positive test after winning the Santa Anita Derby a few years ago. The California Horse Racing Board decided to not even alert Churhcill Downs until after the Kentucky Derby then. My gosh.

His horses, Charlatan and Gamine, were both found to test positive after Graded Stakes wins in Arkansas a couple of years ago. After years of delays, those victories were allowed to stand in a decision by the Arkansas Racing Commission, but the soft penalty to Mr. Baffert still stood. My gosh.

His horse, Gamine, tested positive after finishing third in the Kentucky Oaks, too.

Then, in 2021, Baffert’s Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit tested positive following that victory. A split sample confirmed it. Even Mr. Baffert’s demand for a urine sample came back with a positive result.

The difference is both Churchill Downs — who suspended Baffert for 2 years — and the Kentucky Racing Stewards took a serious and definitive approach. They fined him. They disqualified Medina Spirit. The Stewards issued a 90-day suspension.

For the first time, the repeat offender now was disciplined. Appropriately. Adequately? Maybe. We shall see. But significantly.

Yet, the few, handful of Baffert cult believers fight on.

Deny. Deny. Deny.

Contamination. Contamination. Contamination.

Divert. Divert. Divert.

Blame others. Blame others. Blame others.

Truth is?

If Baffert had spent the time and money to frigging fix the issues in his barn that continues to lead to medication overages and positive test results rather than on attorneys that used to represent porn stars and PR firms that want to cast blame on others?

Truth is?

At one point in time, Baffert may have been able to put this awful and disgusting mess behind. Us all.

But Thursday night’s video only proves a couple of things:

Baffert has not learned, still.

Baffert has not apologized, yet.

Baffert and his few buddies want to run amok, per usual.

Disgusting. Despicable. Deplorable.

But try as you might on your little Twitter video?

This is not on Churchill Downs.

This is on Bob Baffert.

Thank goodness we don’t have to see you at Churchill Downs for two years.