Baffert sending Illumination for Test; Bolton stands up for trainer

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Bob Baffert was expected to ship Illumination on Tuesday from California to Saratoga where she is scheduled to run in the Grade 1, $500,000 Test Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on Saturday.

Illumination will represent Baffert’s first starter at a New York Racing Association track since a judge three weeks ago overturned a ban NYRA placed on him in May following the positive post-race test of Medina Spirit in this year’s Kentucky Derby.

George Bolton, part owner of Illumination and a client of Baffert more than 20 years, said he is a staunch proponent of punishing cheaters in the sport. He does not view Baffert as such and believes Baffert was not attempting to cheat in the Derby with Medina Spirit, who tested positive for an overage of the corticosteroid betamethasone after the Derby. Baffert has said that drug was in a topical ointment used to treat a skin condition the horse had leading up to the race.

“If I found any of my trainers guilty with the intent to do something illegal, I’d lead the charge against him,” Bolton said. “I don’t think the right way to handle Bob Baffert is to fry him with no trial. I take a balanced a view with all the great things he’s done, getting people to spend big money. He’s been great for the sport, he’s been great for the farms, he’s been great for gambling, great for TV.

“I’m a wreck that this is happening. I don’t believe he had any malice intent to cheat or to change the outcome of the race.”

Bolton owns Illumination with Peter and Karin Leidel, Barry Lipman, and Kerri Radcliffe. Illumination, a daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, was purchased for $900,000 as a yearling at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga auction held across the street from the track.

Illumination raced four times at 2 – including three stakes – without success before the decision was made give her a break.

“She came back a much different horse,” Bolton said. “By giving her time in the field, she grew taller and longer, exactly what you want. She’s grown into a really special-looking filly.”

On June 4 at Santa Anita, in a five-horse field, Illumination rolled to an eight-length victory going six furlongs. Bolton said Baffert was unable to find a race in between her maiden win and the Test.

On Saturday, Illumination worked six furlongs in 1:12.20 at Del Mar, more than two seconds faster than the next-fastest move at the distance.

Bolton said Illumination would be ridden by John Velazquez.

Baffert has won the Test three times, including last year with Gamine, who is expected to return to Saratoga for the Grade 1 Ballerina on Aug. 28.

Attempts to reach Baffert were unsuccessful but he is not expected to be in town for the race or Friday’s induction of his 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah into the Hall of Fame.

Others pointing to the Test include Always Carina, Dayoutoftheoffice, Make Mischief, Obilgatory, Ova Charged, Search Results, Souper Sensational, and Zaajel.