Medina Spirit Kentucky Derby win shall be invalidated if failed drug check is upheld

Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit’s victory shall be invalidated whether it is upheld that the champion horse failed a drug check, Churchill Downs mentioned Sunday.

Medina Spirit’s coach Bob Baffert shall be instantly suspended from getting into any horses in races at Churchill Downs’ monitor “given the seriousness of the alleged offense,” mentioned the assertion from the corporate that runs the Derby.

“Failure to adjust to the foundations and drugs protocols jeopardizes the protection of the horses and jockeys, the integrity of our sport and the repute of the Kentucky Derby and all who take part. Churchill Downs is not going to tolerate it,” the press launch mentioned.

If the discovering is upheld, runner-up Mandaloun shall be declared the winner of the race, Churchill Downs mentioned.

Baffert on Sunday morning denied any wrongdoing. He revealed at a information convention that Medina Spirit in a post-race check was discovered to have 21 picograms of the steroid betamethasone, twice the authorized threshold, in its system.

“I bought the largest gut-punch in racing, for one thing I did not do,” Baffert mentioned.

Simply two different horses within the 147-year historical past of the Kentucky Derby have been disqualified, based on the Related Press.

“It’s our understanding that Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit’s post-race blood pattern indicated a violation of the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s equine remedy protocols,” Churchill Downs’ press launch mentioned.

“The connections of Medina Spirit have the correct to request a check of a break up pattern and we perceive they intend to take action,” the corporate mentioned.

“We are going to await the conclusion of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commissions’ investigation earlier than taking additional steps.”

With reporting from the Related Press.