Medina Spirit's Kentucky Derby win in jeopardy after failed drug test

Medina Spirit's Kentucky Derby win is now in jeopardy after the horse's failed drug test has been confirmed. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is also now facing discipline and has been suspended by Churchill Downs for two years.

News 12 Staff

Jun 2, 2021, 9:24 PM

Updated 1,150 days ago

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Medina Spirit's Kentucky Derby win is now in jeopardy after the horse's failed drug test has been confirmed. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is also now facing discipline and has been suspended by Churchill Downs for two years.
NYRA also suspended Baffert, so none of his horses, including Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, will run at Belmont Stakes this weekend.
Results from a second drug test of Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit came back positive for the steroid Betamethasone.
Chad Summers is a horse trainer and has a horse running Friday and Sunday at Belmont. He says all trainers should be competing fairly and be responsible.
"I think it keeps in mind that we are all of this together and the rules have to be followed," Summers said.
The drug test showed 25 picograms of the steroid after 21 picograms were found initially, but even a trace amount is prohibited in Kentucky, Maryland and New York on race day -- which are home to the sport's Triple Crown races -- and considered a violation.
As for horse racing enthusiasts like Jay Oringer of Jericho, they say news like this discredits the industry.
"He's the top Hall of Fame trainer and if he's getting caught, imagine the small guys that nobody hears about what's going on at the smaller race tracks all over the country. You definitely lose a lot of confidence in the game," said Oringer.
If Medina Spirit is disqualified, Mandaloun would be elevated as the winner of the Kentucky Derby.
As for Belmont, NYRA says they are expecting about 10,000 people for the 153rd running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, with some restrictions in place.


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