Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit WILL be allowed to race in this week s Preakness Stakes with extra testing as suspended trainer Bob Baffert insists antifungal steroid ointment is to blame for failed drug test
Preakness officials said they are allowing Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit to enter Saturday s race subject to additional testing and monitoring
Trainer Bob Baffert has blamed Medina Spirit s failed drug test an antifungal medication that was used to treat Medina Spirit for dermatitis
Medina Spirit and two other horses trained by the Hall of Fame trainer will be under extra scrutiny in the days leading up to the second leg of the Triple Crow
The announcement said there will be rigorous testing and monitoring of Medina Spirit and another Baffert-trained horse, Concert Tour, which also is set to run in the Preakness.
The 146th running of the Preakness, which is the second jewel of thoroughbred racing s Triple Crown, is set for Saturday at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
Baffert s lawyer earlier had threatened to seek a court injunction if Medina Spirit was barred from Preakness Stakes, as the trainer awaits a second drug test from the Derby that would end with the horse s victory there being voided if it is positive.
Another Baffert horse, the filly Beautiful Gift, is entered to run in the George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico on Friday, and will be subject to the same conditions, according to Tuesday s statement.
The announcement said there will be rigorous testing and monitoring of Medina Spirit and another Baffert-trained horse, Concert Tour, which also is set to run in the Preakness.
The 146th running of the Preakness, which is the second jewel of thoroughbred racing s Triple Crown, is set for Saturday at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
Baffert s lawyer earlier had threatened to seek a court injunction if Medina Spirit was barred from Preakness Stakes, as the trainer awaits a second drug test from the Derby that would end with the horse s victory there being voided if it is positive.
Another Baffert horse, the filly Beautiful Gift, is entered to run in the George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico on Friday, and will be subject to the same conditions, according to Tuesday s statement.
EXPLAINER: Derby winner s failed test latest in horse doping
STEPHEN WHYNO, AP Sports Writer
May 10, 2021
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1of3John Velazquez rides Medina Spirit across the finish line to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Louisville, Ky.Jeff Roberson/APShow MoreShow Less
2of3Jockey John Velazquez, left, watches as trainer Bob Baffert holds up the winner s trophy after they victory with Medina Spirit in the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, May 1, 2021, in Louisville, Ky.Jeff Roberson/APShow MoreShow Less
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Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit failed a postrace drug test, once again raising questions about horse doping in the sport when the colt s blood sample was found to be in violation of the state s medication protocols for racehorses.
Last Comment: May 12, 2021 7:24 am ET | 7 Comment(s) | Jump to Comments
The Kentucky Derby has made headlines across several mainstream media outlets beyond its usual coverage in light of recent news that the winner of the 147th edition, Medina Spirit, received a post-race positive test.
News broke on Sunday (May 9) that a test sample from Medina Spirit showed heightened levels 21 picograms per milliliter of betamethasone, a corticosteroid typically used as an anti-inflammatory for conditions such as arthritis. Said drug is barred by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) under new protocols passed in 2020 which prohibits administration of any drug or medication within 24 hours of a race. However, its use is allowed under clearance by the KHRC 14 days prior to a race. Bob Baffert, trainer of Medina Spirit, also faced a betamethasone positive in 2020 when his filly Gamine finished third in the Kentucky Oaks, also at Churchill Downs.