Medina Spirit’s Kentucky Derby crown and monetary reward are in jeopardy following a positive post-race drug test.
What We Know:
- Certain levels of the corticosteroid betamethasone, an anti-inflammatory agent, are permitted in Kentucky horse racing. Following the May 1st Triple Crown race, however, Medina Spirit indicated elevated levels of betamethasone. When retested, results revealed 21 picograms per milliliter, which is more than double the quantity permitted.
- Trainer Bob Baffert is one of the most prominent and championed horse trainers in modern history, holding 16 previous Triple Crown wins and 17 previous Breeders’ Cup wins. Nonetheless, according to the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI), he concurrently holds 30 total violations. Baffert originally denied Medina Spirit’s positive drug test results, but later admitted the high betamethasone levels were accurate, yet unintentional. Baffert’s attorney, Craig Robertson, explained the unknowingly betamethasone-containing topical ointment Otomax likely caused the positive result. Otomax is an anti-fungal treatment that was used to treat Medina Spirit’s dermatitis skin rash.
- Kentucky Derby racing rules state that trainers cannot administer any type of corticosteroids 14 days before a race. Even if indeed the topical ointment Otomax caused a positive drug result, the Kentucky commission would still press sanctions against trainer Bob Baffert.
- Baffert continues to deny knowledge that drug-containing treatments were used on Medina Spirit. “Medina Spirit earned his Kentucky Derby win and my pharmacologists have told me that 21 picograms of betamethasone would have had no effect on the outcome of the race. Medina Spirit is a deserved champion and I will continue to fight for him.” If Baffert’s appeal is unsuccessful, Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby, and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission are authorized to disqualify the horse and penalize the owner.
Revoking Medina Spirit’s crown would automatically grant Mandaloun, the second-place horse, ownership of the winning crown, title, and money involved with winning the Kentucky Derby.
