Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit cleared for Preakness regardless of drug check

Medina Spirit coach Bob Baffert claims the trophy after winning the 147th round of the Kentucky Derby with Medina Spirit, his seventh career win at the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 1, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Andy Lyons | Getty Images

Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit was allowed to compete in the upcoming Preakness Stakes race on Tuesday under certain conditions despite failing a drug test after winning the Derby.

The terms, including “a mandatory commitment” from Medina Spirit trainer Bob Baffert for “complete transparency of medical and test results, allowing all results to be made available to the public,” said the Maryland Jockey Club and 1 / St Racing in one Explanation.

The 146th run of Preakness, the second stage of the Triple Crown of the thoroughbred race, will take place on Saturday at the Pimlico Race Court in Baltimore.

Baffert announced Sunday that the day of the race at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky, Medina Spirit tested positive for 21 picograms of the steroid betamethasone, 11 picograms above the legal limit.

Baffert, who was indefinitely suspended by Churchill Downs due to the failed initial test, said at the time he did not know how the steroid, normally used to treat a horse’s joints, got into Medina Spirit’s system.

“I got the biggest blow in racing for something I didn’t do,” said Baffert on Sunday. His now impending win with Medina Spirit was his seventh Kentucky Derby win.

If a second round of testing confirms that the drug was in the horse, Medina Spirit will be disqualified as the Derby winner. So far this year five horses trained by Baffert have failed drug tests.

John Velazquez on board Medina Spirit (8) wins the 147th round of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Michael Clevenger | USA TODAY Sports | Reuters

On Tuesday, before the Preakness Stakes agreed to let his horse go, Baffert made a statement through his attorney that Medina Spirit had been treated with an antifungal ointment containing betamethasone once a day, which led to the Kentucky Derby that came on on Tuesday May 1st ran.

“My investigation is ongoing and we don’t know for sure if this ointment caused the test results or if the test results are correct because the split sample has not yet confirmed them,” said Baffert.

“I have been told that a finding as small as 21 picograms may be consistent with the use of this type of ointment.”

Only two other horses in the 147-year history of the Kentucky Derby have been disqualified, according to the Associated Press.

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