On March 9th, I posted about Ness' excellent skills so I'm certain I'm not one of the 50 posts you mention screaming about Baffert that isn't looking elsewhere at issues in the game.
I think where you and I differ on this Medina Spirit case is that you are looking at in isolation. You are looking at it based on the facts that have been put forth by Baffert's camp. And you are basing it on the positive test for Betamethasone.
As others have pointed out, CDI is protecting its brand based on Baffert's history, based on the Kentucky Derby (and Oaks) being the biggest race in the world (and the biggest 3yo filly race of the year). Also, I'm not so certain the ointment story has been agreed to by Kentucky. If you go back and watch the Baffert presser at the barn to announce the DQ, it is clear that Baffert did NOT KNOW of ANY drug or cream that would have caused this. Then, many days later the topical cream story comes forward from his camp. Am I really supposed to believe that the greatest trainer in the world did not know what the winner of the Derby that he trained just days before had put on or in his body? Sorry, I'm not buying it. I've made clear where I think Dex and Beta positives come from. I understand that you are taking the Beta positive as a Beta positive. But others have made the leap of faith likely based on the Navarro/Servis information. So while they can't nail him on speculation they are trying to slow down what they believe involves an edge that he has on the field whether legal or not. After all, he has popped positives in the Santa Anita Derby, the Ky Oaks, the Kentucky Derby, and Ark Derby. Races where he ran 1st, 3rd, 1st, and 1st respectively when testing positive.
So, I hear you and understand your position. But I don't believe the Beta positive is a Beta positive the way you do. I think you genuinely believe the horses tested positive for Beta and I think it was a false positive. Either way, it was a positive and CDI/Kentucky decided this time, enough is enough and they are not backing down. I think it is good for the game they are going after him this time. So, that's where we head down different paths and why we and others view it so differently. If I have couched this incorrectly, my apologies as not my intent. Truly trying to clarify why me and others view it so harshly compared to you. Far more to this but a condensed answer I thought was deserving based on your posts.
Good to see your friend Elliot getting the win at Dubai. Jimmy Barnes was in Dubai for the Baffert barn. Life is Good was nowhere. He couldn't get the distance apparently. Maybe in his prior barn he could have made it all the way around there. :)
