Medina Spirit STRIPPED of Kentucky Derby win after Bob Baffert drug suspension

MEDINA Spirit has been stripped of its Kentucky Derby victory after disgraced coach Bob Baffert was suspended over the horse’s failed drug check.

Mandaloun was as a substitute declared the winner after a ruling by state racing stewards on Monday.

The since-deceased Medina Spirit examined constructive after the race final Could for a steroid, betamethasone, that’s authorized in Kentucky however banned on race day.

Medina Spirit completed half a size forward of Mandaloun within the race, giving coach Bob Baffert what was then his seventh Kentucky Derby title.

Baffert was subsequently banned for 2 years by Churchill Downs following the constructive check.

Monday’s choice by the Kentucky Horse Racing Fee makes Medina Sprit the second horse within the 146-year historical past of the race to be disqualified for a banned substance; the primary was Dancer’s Picture in 1968, a call that gave Ahead Cross the victory.

The one different disqualification was in 2019 when Most Safety was penalized due to interference.

Following the announcement by the racing stewards, Churchill Downs issued a press release declaring Mandaloun the Kentucky Derby winner. Mandaloun’s house owners will obtain the $1.8million winner’s purse.

The racing fee additionally suspended Baffert for 90 days and fined him $7,500 on Monday.

Medina Spirit collapsed and died on December 6 of a coronary heart assault following a coaching run at Santa Anita lower than a month after ending second within the Breeders’ Cup Basic at Del Mar.