Mick Ruis could make this more interesting
https://www.courier-journal.com/sto...ible-over-justify-santa-anita-win/2303812001/
Owner and trainer of 2018 Santa Anita Derby runner-up Bolt d’Oro, Mick Ruis has a vested interest in Wednesday’s report that
Justify tested positive for a banned substance after winning that race by 3 lengths and going on to win the Triple Crown.
Reached by telephone Thursday afternoon, Ruis said he is considering a lawsuit over the Santa Anita Derby result. Justify earned $600,000 as the winner of the Santa Anita Derby. Bolt d’Oro earned $200,000 as the runner-up.
Ruis accused the California Horse Racing Board of protecting Justify trainer Bob Baffert, a two-time Triple Crown winner and Hall of Famer.
“I think it warrants (a lawsuit),” Ruis said. “The rule was if there was any of that (drug) found, you were disqualified and you had to give up the purse money. Then they never tell anybody that they found out about it. …
“It’s just real disappointing how we have different sets of rules for different people there in Santa Anita. The horse tested positive. Why didn’t anybody know about it until now?”
Ruis said as a sign of protest he will scratch a horse of his, C Falls, from a $40,000 maiden special weight race Saturday at Los Alamitos. Baffert also has a horse, Fay Dan, entered in the race.
’It’s like, ‘Why do I want to run against someone who runs against different rules?’” Ruis said.
Ruis said he would “100 percent” support a national governing body to handle situations such as this one.
“It’s got to stop,” Ruis said. “People like to say this isn’t good for horse racing right now. I think it’s the best thing for horse racing right now. We all know things have been going on. We train next to people every day. Some people are afraid to say stuff. …
“We have our California Horse Racing Board, and a couple of them have Bob training for them? What is that? Is that not a conflict of interest or what?”