By Mike MacAdam/The Leader-Herald SARATOGA SPRINGS They’re bringing a full jewelry box to the Travers stakes this year. The Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes make up the Triple Crown collection, and in any given year it’s not unusual for three different horses to each claim one of
With his 12-1 upset in the 2021 Kentucky Derby Saturday at Churchill Downs, Medina Spirit became the latest winner of America’s most famous race to have ties to Los Alamitos.
Like Authentic, the 2020 Derby winner, Justify (2018), American Pharoah (2015) and California Chrome (2014) before him, Medina Spirit began preparing for his career at Los Alamitos.
The son of Protonico and the Brilliant Speed mare Mongolian Changa had his first nine official drills locally for Bob Baffert. Medina Spirit then began his racing career here, impressively capturing a 5 ½ furlong maiden contest last Dec. 11.
Baffert, who had much quarter horse success at Los Alamitos before he switched to thoroughbreds more than 30 years ago, has often praised the Los Alamitos surface – maintained by consultant Dennis Moore and superintendent Rick Hughes – since daytime thoroughbred racing returned in 2014. The Hall of Famer has said it is an ideal place to condition his young runners.