There's no Triple Crown on the horizon for Medina Spirit, but it appears he won't even be racing at Belmont...nor will any other Bob Baffert horses be racing in New York, at least for the time being.
The New York Racing Association announced Monday that they have temporarily suspended Baffert from "entering horses in races or occupying stall space" at Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack, or Saratoga Race Course.
“In order to maintain a successful thoroughbred racing industry in New York, NYRA must protect the integrity of the sport for our fans, the betting public and racing participants,” NYRA President and CEO Dave O’Rourke said in the statement announcing the bans. “That responsibility demands the action taken today in the best interests of thoroughbred racing.”
Medina Spirit won the Kentucky Derby on May 1, but later tested positive for betamethasone, which Baffert later admitted the horse had been administered as part of an anti-fungal medication up until race day.
After testing negative leading up to the Preakness on May 15, Medina Spirit and a second Baffert horse, Concert Tour, were cleared to run in the second leg of the Triple Crown, and were 5/2 and 5/1 favorites - but Medina Spirit finished third and Concert Tour a disappointing ninth as 12/1 longshot Rombauer captured the race.
Medina Spirit's win at the Kentucky Derby has not yet been finalized, as the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is required to await split-sample results before rendering a final decision. However, even if Medina Spirit is disqualified, there will be no Triple Crown, as Mandaloun, who placed in the Derby, did not even run the Preakness.
The 2021 Belmont Stakes will be run on Saturday, June 5.