Story at a glance
- Horse training legend Bob Baffert was temporarily suspended by the New York Racing Association Sunday after his colt Medina Spirit tested positive for the steroid betamethasone following its Kentucky Derby win.
- The association said it “will not accept entries or provide stall space to any individual employed by Bob Baffert Racing Stables.”
- Baffert was previously suspended by Churchill Downs, the site that hosts the Kentucky Derby, as the track awaits the results of the second test.
Horse training legend Bob Baffert was temporarily suspended by the New York Racing Association Sunday (NYRA) after his colt Medina Spirit tested positive for the steroid betamethasone following its Kentucky Derby win — jeopardizing the horse’s entry into the Belmont Stakes.
The association said in a press release that it “will not accept entries or provide stall space to any individual employed by Bob Baffert Racing Stables.” NYRA, which oversees the Belmont Stakes, added that it factored in the ongoing investigation into Medina Spirit’s positive test as well as recent instances of positive test results by other horses trained by Baffert.
“In order to maintain a successful thoroughbred racing industry in New York, NYRA must protect the integrity of the sport for our fans, the betting public and racing participants,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O’Rourke in the release. “That responsibility demands the action taken today in the best interests of thoroughbred racing.”
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Medina Spirit is no longer in contention for the coveted Triple Crown after being edged out by Rombauer in the Preakness Stakes last Saturday.
Baffert was previously suspended by Churchill Downs, the site that hosts the Kentucky Derby, as the track awaits the results of the second test. The derby host said the horse’s victory will be invalidated if the second test comes back positive. Betamethasone, which came back on the horse’s drug test, is illegal at any level on race day.
The trainer said following his suspension from Churchill Downs that he and his horse are victims of a so-called cancel culture style situation, and that test was a result of an ointment used to treat the colt’s dermatitis.
The NYRA said it expects to make a final decision “on the length and terms” of Baffert’s suspension after Medina Spirit’s second test results are revealed.
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