Derby Winner Medina Spirit, Who Underwent Strict Testing Ahead Of Preakness, Collapses, Dies In California

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(AP/WJZ) — Medina Spirit, the highly scrutinized Kentucky Derby victor who underwent a bid of cause tests to tally successful the Preakness Stakes, collapsed and died aft a workout Monday astatine Santa Anita.

The 3-year-old colt trained by Bob Baffert had conscionable completed 5 furlongs successful his 2nd workout since finishing 2nd successful the Breeders’ Cup Classic a period agone astatine Del Mar, according to Craig Robertson, Baffert’s attorney. Baffert said successful a connection that the equine suffered a bosom attack.

“My full barn is devastated by this news,” Baffert said. “Medina Spirit was a large champion, a subordinate of our household who was loved by all, and we are profoundly mourning his loss. I volition ever cherish the arrogant and idiosyncratic memories of Medina Spirit and his tremendous spirit.”

Santa Anita spokesperson Mike Willman besides confirmed the colt’s death.

The colt volition acquisition a afloat necropsy, which is required by the California Horse Racing Board.

Medina Spirit tested affirmative aft the May 1 Derby for betamethasone, a ineligible medicine that is not allowed connected contention day. It was Baffert’s grounds seventh triumph successful the Derby.

Baffert and the Maryland Jockey Club agreed to humor illustration investigating of the equine up of the 2nd jewel of equine racing’s Triple Crown. Medina Spirit passed each 3 of his cause tests earlier moving successful the Preakness Stakes, Maryland racing officials said.

The samples were taken connected May 6, May 10 and May 11. At 11-1, Rombauer pulled disconnected the upset successful the race, passing Medina Spirit, who went connected to decorativeness third.

Last Friday, Robertson released a connection saying that tests done by a New York laboratory person “definitely confirmed” Medina Spirit tested affirmative for the steroid not done an injection but owed to an ointment utilized to dainty a tegument rash.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has been investigating the case, and has yet to clasp a proceeding that could perchance disqualify Medina Spirit.

In the $6 cardinal Breeders’ Cup Classic, Medina Spirit couldn’t muster the indispensable precocious footwear to endanger victor Knicks Go, a Maryland-bred horse.

“I’m precise arrogant of him. He ran a large race,” Baffert said past month. “To me, he’s the champion 3-year-old. He showed it today. That’s what racing is each about, proving it connected the racetrack. And helium proved it contiguous that he’s the existent deal.”

Baffert was allowed to participate horses successful the season-ending satellite championships, but the event’s money-leading trainer had to conscionable definite conditions, including stricter out-of-competition investigating of his horses and greater information astatine his barn. He agreed to the other scrutiny and was required to wage for it retired of his ain pocket.

Medina Spirit had 5 wins successful 10 vocation starts and net of $3,545,200, according to Equibase. The colt was owned by Amr Zedan, who competes arsenic Zedan Racing Stables.

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“Our astir sincere condolences spell retired to Mr. Amr Zedan and the full Zedan Racing Stables family,” Baffert said successful his statement. “They are successful our thoughts and prayers arsenic we spell done this hard time.”