Racehorse trainer Bob Baffert has sued social media personalities Justin Wunderler and Daniel DiCorcia, accusing them of defamation, extortion and escalating threats. The lawsuit was filed on Sept. 27 in Southern California federal court.
Baffert also asserts that Wunderler and DiCorcia whipped up others against him by allegedly falsely accusing the horse trainer of "blood doping" and other alleged illegal acts to produce horses that have repeatedly won the Kentucky Derby and other high-profile races.
Blood doping, or “juicing,” and other acts of animal cruelty are criminal felony offenses and allegations can severely damage the reputation of a high-profile trainer like Baffert, who is already under scrutiny, the complaint said.
Over the past two years, Baffert has been working with industry participants and through the legal process to repair his reputation and standing in the industry following an alleged violation of medication rules involving the 2021 Kentucky Derby, which stemmed from the use of a topical ointment to treat a rash in the weeks leading up to the race, according to the complaint.
The controversy resulted in a media frenzy. Over that same time, Wunderler and DiCorcia, who have a substantial following on social media, have allegedly engaged in an escalating pattern of unlawful and threatening behavior directed specifically at Baffert and his family.
Baffert is seeking relief and damages in excess of $75,000. He is represented by the Law Offices of Shepard S. Kopp.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California case number 3:23-cv-01774-RSH-BLM