Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit tested positive for the corticosteroid betamethasone after the race the trainer plans to launch his own investigation into the matter and to fight the allegations.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who has been suspended by Churchill Downs after Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit tested positive for steroids, has since went on Fox News and claimed that his is a victim of cancel culture.
The California-based trainer, who won his record-seventh Kentucky Derby, said the Kentucky Racing Commission informed his assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes on Saturday that Medina Spirit tested positive for 21 picograms of the anti-inflammatory medicine in a post-race sample.
“I don’t know what’s going on in racing right now, but there’s something not right,” Baffert said in a press conference at Churchill Downs on Sunday morning. “I don’t feel embarrassed, I feel like I was wronged. We’re going to do our own investigation. We’re going to be transparent with the racing commission like we’ve always been. […] This horse was never treated with this. He’s a great horse. He doesn’t deserve this.”
Medina Spirit will be disqualified and runner-up Mandaloun will be declared the winner.
“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 released in a statement. “Churchill Downs will not tolerate it.
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“Given the seriousness of the alleged offense, Churchill Downs will immediately suspend Bob Baffert, the trainer of Medina Spirit, from entering any horses at Churchill Downs Racetrack. We will await the conclusion of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commissions’ investigation before taking further steps.”
