Kentucky Derby Winner Medina Spirit tests positive for Class C drug

Medina Spirit is a popular American racehorse who has won the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Horse racing is a profitable sport popular all over worldwide. The prize money for horse races has also reached 3.5 billion dollars globally. Most of the shares is of the US country as they host many successful horse races each year. However, other countries also run horsing hubs, including Ireland, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand. 

The most famous horse races include Preakness Stakes, Kentucky Derby, and Belmont Stakes. Every year tens of thousands of people gather around to watch this exciting game and whoever wins three of these Grade 1 races in just one year wins a prestigious title. 

Medina Spirit has successfully won the prestigious award of Kentucky Derby but has now been tested positive for Class C drug. An excessive amount of Betamethasone has been found in his blood. Baffert, the trainer of Medina, told it is impossible for Medina to have this drug, and he thinks he was being framed for the horse’s successful journey. 

The successful journey of Medina Spirit

The legendary Bob Baffert trains 2021 Kentucky Derby Winner Medina Spirit with John Velazquez. They are guiding to win the race of Churchill Downs held on May 1. 

Medina won the race of Kentucky Derby 2021 leading from the front and claimed a seventh race victory at odds of 12/1 for his trainer Bob Baffert. 

Medina Spirit also won the Run for the Roses race by half a length and claimed the top price of 1860,000 dollars in the process. So even though the race was tight, Medina Spirit made his way. 

But, Baffert’s charge has delayed the chance of the legendary trainer to win the Triple Crown Title with Jon Velazquez in the saddle. 

The career of Medina Spirit now stands at 3-3-0 from six starts. This includes two victories and three seconds in this whole year—the total earning stands at $2,175,200. 

The controversy of Medina Spirit being tested positive for Betamethasone

As we have already said, at a conference, Baffert was shocked to hear that medina Spirit is tested positive, and it is absolutely impossible. Baffert added that he thinks he is unduly targeted and will conduct his own internal investigation to get to the bottom of it. He said to the public that being framed is not good for him, for sport and the horse people. So he vowed to defend his position. 

The legendary trainer had his personal attorney at his side in the conference.  They said they would go through the process following all the rules laid by KHC. They will also keep in mind the rule by the stewards at Churchill Downs. 

As for the Preakness in this matter, there will be no changes relating to Medina Spirit in that race. In the conference, Baffert showed mixed emotions. He reminded the reporters that Gamine was also tested positive for the same substance last year, but that was a different situation. 

What happened after Medina Spirit was tested positive for the drug?

After Medina Spirit was tested positive in the drug test trainer, Bob Baffert got suspended by Churchill Downs. 

The California-based trainer who successfully won his seventh Kentucky Derby award informed the Kentucky racing commission what he said to his assistant. He said on Saturday that Medina was tested positive with 21 picograms of Betamethasone in his blood sample. Whereas the legal limit, according to Kentucky, is ten picograms only. 

In reply to this situation, Bob Baffert, the trainer of Medina Spirit, shared his emotion in a press conference. He said that he does not know what is happening, but it is for sure that something is not right. In this situation, he does not feel ashamed but wronged, and they will investigate the matter to find the wrong. 

He said that in no way he gave Medina Spirit Betamethasone, and it is pure injustice to this horse. Betamethasone is an anti-inflammatory medication that is classified as a Class C drug. He added this horse was never treated with it. He is a great horse and does not deserve these allegations. 

The racetracker afterward announced that if the findings are proved correct in the split sample test, Medina Spirit will not be allowed to play. Moreover, the runner-up Mandaloun will be declared the new winner. Moreover, given the severity of the offense, Churchill Downs will suspend Bob Baffert immediately. He will be no longer allowed to enter Churchill Downs Racetrack. 

It is a serious controversy going on. But will be cleared soon when the investigation of Baffert and the result of the split sample test will be out. 

Also, read about: Top reasons why horse racing so popular and Popular horse racing events.