Medina Spirit, the winner of the 2021 Kentucky Derby, has tested positive for betamethasone, a corticosteroid, the horse’s trainer Bob Baffert revealed Sunday morning, shortly before he was suspended.
According to the New York Post, Baffert claimed Medina Spirit has “never been treated with betamethasone” and called the failed post-race drug test for 21 picograms of the substance “shocking.”
“Yesterday I got the biggest gut-punch in racing for something I didn’t do,” Baffert told the media at Churchill Downs in Louisville. “It’s disturbing. It’s an injustice to the horse.”
The Derby win by Medina Spirit, jockeyed by John Velasquez, gave Baffert, a hall of fame trainer, his record seventh Kentucky Derby win. Now he’s been suspended indefinitely.
“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,” the organization said in a released statement.
Medina Spirit has not been automatically disqualified. Derby officials are awaiting results from another sample to come back before making a decision.
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