Medina Spirit #8, ridden by jockey John Velazquez, (R) crosses the goal to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby ahead of Mandaloun #7, ridden by Florent Geroux, and Hot Rod Charlie #9 ridden by Flavien Prat ,at Churchill Downs on May 01, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Jamie Squire | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images
Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit’s triumph will be revoked if it is maintained that the champ horse stopped working a drug test, Churchill Downs stated Sunday.
Medina Spirit’s fitness instructor Bob Baffert will be instantly suspended from getting in any horses in races at Churchill Downs’ track “given the seriousness of the alleged offense,” stated the declaration from the business that runs the Derby.
“Failure to comply with the rules and medication protocols jeopardizes the safety of the horses and jockeys, the integrity of our sport and the reputation of the Kentucky Derby and all who participate. Churchill Downs will not tolerate it,” journalism release stated.
If the finding is maintained, runner-up Mandaloun will be stated the winner of the race, Churchill Downs stated.
Baffert on Sunday early morning rejected any misbehavior. He exposed at a press conference that Medina Spirit in a post-race test was discovered to have 21 picograms of the steroid betamethasone, two times the legal limit, in its system.
“I got the biggest gut-punch in racing, for something I didn’t do,” Baffert stated.
Just 2 other horses in the 147-year history of the Kentucky Derby have actually been disqualified, according to the Associated Press.
“It is our understanding that Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit’s post-race blood sample indicated a violation of the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s equine medication protocols,” Churchill Downs’ news release stated.
“The connections of Medina Spirit have the right to request a test of a split sample and we understand they intend to do so,” the business stated.
“We will await the conclusion of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commissions’ investigation before taking further steps.”
With reporting from the Associated Press.
