Credit: Jim Thompson/Thompson Sports Toons, used with permission
Last Saturday, the First Saturday in May, there was a mild surprise at the Kentucky Derby when a field of tightly gathered favorites gave way to Medina Spirit, who went off at 12-1. With more focus placed on a handful of other horses, the one entry from famed trainer Bob Baffert was essentially overlooked, and when he came across the wire even Baffert was notably surprised at the finish. Now, a week later, Baffert and that result are under scrutiny.
Word comes out today that test results have shown that Medina Spirit has tested positive for elevated levels of the steroid betamethasone. As the investigation goes on currently, Baffert finds himself suspended from further racing at Churchill Downs, and the status of his horse in next week’s second leg of the Triple Crown, The Preakness Stakes, is in question. The results are murky and it throws off whatever good grace the sport has managed to receive as it recovers
Kentucky Derby Winner Fails Drug Test, Faces Disqualification
Churchill Downs suspended trainer Bob Baffert from entering horses at the track and suggested that it would invalidate the Kentucky Derby victory of his horse, Medina Spirit, if the results of a failed postrace drug test are upheld.
Churchill Downs announcement comes after Baffert announced the failed drug test, which he vowed to fight tooth and nail.
The track said in a statement Sunday that failure to comply with the rules and medication protocols jeopardizes the safety of horses and jockeys, the sport s integrity and the Derby s reputation. Churchill Downs will not tolerate it, the statement said. Given the seriousness of the alleged offense, Churchill Downs will immediately suspend Bob Baffert, the trainer of Medina Spirit, from entering any horses at Churchill Downs Racetrack.
Print GARY B. GRAVES, Associated Press
Trainer Bob Baffert, jockey John Velazquez, and owner Amr Zedan of Medina Spirit pose for a photo after winning the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 01, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Sam Mallon/Getty Images)
Medina Spirit’s victory in the Kentucky Derby is in serious jeopardy because of a failed postrace drug test, one that led Churchill Downs to suspend Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert on Sunday in the latest scandal to plague the sport.
Baffert denied all wrongdoing and promised to be fully transparent with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission during its investigation. Baffert’s barn received word Saturday that Medina Spirit had tested positive for an excessive amount of the steroid betamethasone, which is sometimes used to treat pain and inflammation in horses.
May 10, 2021
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) Medina Spirit’s victory in the Kentucky Derby is in serious jeopardy because of a failed postrace drug test, one that led Churchill Downs to suspend Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert on Sunday in the latest scandal to plague the sport.
Baffert denied all wrongdoing and promised to be fully transparent with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission during its investigation. Baffert’s barn received word Saturday that Medina Spirit had tested positive for an excessive amount of the steroid betamethasone, which is sometimes used to treat pain and inflammation in horses.
“To be clear, if the findings are upheld, Medina Spirit’s results in the Kentucky Derby will be invalidated and Mandaloun will be declared the winner,” Churchill Downs officials said in a statement shortly after Baffert held a hastily planned morning news conference outside his barn to announce and respond to the allegations.
“When Churchill Downs came out with that statement, it was pretty harsh,” Baffert said. “With all the noise going out, we live in a different world now. This America is different. It was like a cancel culture kind of a thing, so they’re reviewing it.”
Medina Spirit tested positive for “betamethasone,” an injection that helps reduce pain and swelling. The horse will have another sample tested to confirm the positive result.
In light of the positive test, Churchill Downs released a scathing statement toward Baffert, who has won the Kentucky Derby seven times.
“Given the seriousness of the alleged offense, Churchill Downs will immediately suspend Bob Baffert, the trainer of Medina Spirit, from entering any horses at Churchill Downs Racetrack,” the statement read. “To be clear, if the findings are upheld, Medina Spirit’s results in the Kentucky Derby will be invalidated and Mandaloun will be declared the winner.”