Story at a glance
- Famed horse trainer Bob Baffert said his Kentucky Derby-winning horse Medina Spirit tested positive for the steroid betamethasone after the colt was given an antifungal ointment to treat dermatitis.
- Medina Spirit tested positive for 21 picograms of the steroid betamethasone, which is prohibited at any level on the day of the race.
- Medina Spirit will be entered in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, as officials await results of a second test.
Famed horse trainer Bob Baffert said his Kentucky Derby-winning horse Medina Spirit tested positive for the steroid betamethasone after the colt was given an anti-fungal ointment to treat dermatitis.
Baffert said in a statement via his lawyer that the ointment was applied daily leading up to the derby and that experts have informed him that this could have resulted in the positive test results, The Associated Press (AP) reported. Medina Spirit tested positive for 21 picograms of the steroid, which is prohibited at any level on the day of the race.
“My investigation is continuing, and we do not know for sure if this ointment was the cause of the test results, or if the test results are even accurate, as they have yet to be confirmed by the split sample,” Baffert said. “I have been told that a finding of a small amount, such as 21 picograms, could be consistent with application of this type of ointment.”
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The seven-time derby winning trainer said previously in an interview with Fox News that the incident was an example of “cancel culture,” maintaining that he had no idea how the horse could test positive for the substance.
“I never thought I’d have to be fighting for my reputation and the poor horse’s reputation,” Baffert said. “Because of the new regulations the regulators have put, they’re testing these horses at contaminated levels and it’s been a horrible experience.”
Churchill Downs, the site of the Kentucky Derby, informed Baffert Friday that he was suspended from the track pending test results. Track officials said in a statement Sunday if Medina Spirit’s second test returns with a positive result, the horse’s victory will be invalidated.
“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.”
“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,” the statement continued.
Medina Spirit will be entered in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, as officials await results of the second test.
The Maryland Jockey Club, which operates the Preakness Stakes, said in a statement it intends to “review the relevant facts and information relating” to the positive test.
“We are consulting with the Maryland Racing Commission and any decision regarding the entry of Medina Spirit in the 146th Preakness Stakes will be made after review of the facts.”
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