Hold your horses on Medina Spirit’s Kentucky Derby win.
This year’s Derby victor has tested positive for steroids, it was revealed on Sunday. His trainer, Bob Baffert, made the announcement and is denying any wrongdoing.
“I got the biggest gut-punch in racing for something that I didn’t do,” Baffert said of the horse testing positive for 21 picograms of the steroid betamethasone. “And it’s disturbing. It’s an injustice to the horse. … I don’t know what’s going on in racing right now, but there’s something not right. 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. He’s a great horse. He doesn’t deserve this. He ran a gallant race.”
He added, “I’m not a conspiracy theorist. I know everybody is not out to get me, but there’s definitely something wrong. Why is it happening to me? You know, there’s problems in racing, but it’s not Bob Baffert.”
As for those who won their Medina Spirit bets, they get to keep their money. Those who had money on second-place finisher Mandaloun are out of luck.
All betting results are final once the race is official, even if the winner is disqualified. According to Bob Heleringer, author of “Equine Regulatory Law,” this is the law in every state. He called it “one of the most irrevocable standards in racing.”
Churchill Downs released a statement on the test results, saying they are suspending Baffert “immediately.”
“To be clear, if the findings are upheld, Medina Spirit’s results in the Kentucky Derby will be invalidated and Mandaloun will be declared the winner,” the statement reads. “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 will not tolerate it.”
“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,” the statement continues. “We will await the conclusion of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commissions’ investigation before taking further steps.”
The last time a Kentucky Derby winner was disqualified for a prohibited substance was in 1968 when Dancer’s Image was dethroned for a positive phenylbutazone test.
As of now, Medina Spirit is still expected to run in the Preakness on Saturday.
Lucy is a sports betting content producer with Audacy and BetQL. She has worked with WEEI and Audacy as a writer, radio producer and podcaster. Lucy lives in Boston and loves Tom Brady and prop bets. Follow Lucy on Twitter at @LucilleBurdge.
