Medina Spirit 20th Santa Anita Derby Runner To Wear the Roses Sponsored by:
Kentucky Derby 147 winner Medina Spirit
Bob Baffert-trained Medina Spirit, upset winner of Saturday s Grade 1 Kentucky Derby with John Velazquez aboard, not only provided Baffert with his record seventh Derby win and Velazquez with his fourth, he also became the 20th horse to exit the G1 Santa Anita Derby and go on to win the Run for the Roses.
Second, beaten 4 ¼ lengths by Rock Your World as the 4-5 favorite going 1 1/8 miles in the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby April 3, Medina Spirit, a Florida-bred colt by Protonico, out of the Brilliant Speed mare Mongolian Changa, was purchased for just $35,000 out of the 2020 Ocala Breeders Sales Co. s July Two-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age Sale on the recommendation of Santa Anita-based private clocker and bloodstock agent Gary Young.
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.
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Zedan Racing Stables’ Medina Spirit fought back after relinquishing the lead to Mandaloun at midstretch to post a half-length to win the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) before a crowd of 51,838.
Medina Spirit broke sharply from the gate but favored Essential Quality and second choice Rock Your World bumped shortly after the start eliminating some pace pressure from Velazquez.
Medina Spirit led the field through fractions of :23.09, :46.70 and 1:11.21 while under mild pressure from Soup and Sandwich with Mandaloun tracking in third. Approaching the far turn, Hot Rod Charlie began an advance along the rail while Essential Quality mounted a bid four wide.
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