Derby winner Medina Spirit collapses and dies in California | Nation

Medina Spirit, a 3-year-old foal who won the Kentucky Derby in May, was scrutinized for a positive drug test and died after being trained in Santa Anita, Southern California on Monday.

Trainer Bob Baffert said the horse had a heart attack. Colt has just completed 5 furlongs in his second training since finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in Delmar a month ago.

“The whole barn has been overwhelmed by this news,” Baffert said. “Medina Spirit was a great champion and a member of our family loved by all. We deeply mourn his loss. I am always Medina Spirit and his tremendous We value spiritual pride and personal memories. “

Santa Anita said in a statement that the Truck Veterinary Team had taken blood, hair and urine samples from Medina Spirit and sent them to the California Horse Racing Commission. The foal undergoes a complete autopsy at the request of the racing board and seeks to determine the exact cause of death.

People are also reading …

No timeline is given to complete the autopsy.

Medina Spirit tested positive after the May 1st Kentucky Derby won with betamethasone, an unlicensed legitimate drug on race day. The victory was Baffert’s seventh record-breaking victory in Derby.

However, after the Medina Spirit test failed, Baffert was suspended by Churchill Downs and banned from riding horses in the 2022 and 2023 Kentucky Derby. He was also banned from horses on trucks in Belmont, Saratoga and Suidobashi by the New York Racing Association.

Last Friday, Baffert lawyer Craig Robertson said in a statement at a laboratory in New York that Medina Spirit was “certainly confirmed” to be positive for steroids. Announced. The cause is not an injection, but an ointment used to treat a skin rash.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is investigating this case and has not yet held a hearing that could disqualify Medina Spirit.

At the $ 6 million BC Classic last month, Medina Spirit was unable to collect the late kicks needed to threaten the winner Knicks Go.

“I’m very proud of him. He had a great race,” Baffert said last month. “For me, he’s the best three years old. He showed it today. That’s all about the race and proves it at the racetrack. And he’s real today. Proved. “

Baffert was allowed to enter the end-of-season world championships, but the event’s gold-leading trainer had certain conditions, such as stricter out-of-competition testing of his horse and higher safety in the barn. Had to meet. He agreed to the extra scrutiny and was required to pay it from his pocket.

According to Equibase, Medina Spirit earned $ 3,545,200 with five victories in ten career starts. Colt was owned by Amr Zedan, who competes as Zedan Racing Stables.

“Our most heartfelt condolences are directed to Amuru Zedan and the entire Zedan Racing Stables family,” Baffert said in a statement on Monday. “When we experience this difficult time, they are in our thoughts and prayers.”

Other AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports When https://twitter.com/AP-Sports

Copyright 2021 AP communication. all rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.



Derby winner Medina Spirit collapses and dies in California | Nation

Source link Derby winner Medina Spirit collapses and dies in California | Nation

The post Derby winner Medina Spirit collapses and dies in California | Nation appeared first on Illinois News Today.

No comments:

Post a Comment