Kentucky Derby Medina Spirit Fails Second Drug Test, Title In Jeopardy Of Being Stripped
June 2 2021, Published 1:15 p.m. ET
Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit has failed his second blood test.
The test confirmed the presence of the banned steroid betamethasone, a lawyer for the horse's owner told CNBC on Wednesday.
Medina Spirit's winning title is now in jeopardy of being stripped.
If that happens, the May 1st second place winner Mandaloun will be declared the official winner.
According to the attorney, Medina Spirit will undergo one more drug test.
Their hope is to find the chemicals to support trainer Bob Baffert's claims that the betamethasone found in the horse's blood could be from an antifungal ointment, and not an injection.
If the third test produces the result they are hoping for, the attorney could use that to argue against Medina Spirit being disqualified from the race.
The attorney also alluded that he might challenge the first and second blood test results.
“I have not seen the paperwork to conclude that even the primary or split tests were properly admitted," he told the outlet.
He argues that the horse's team “requested both the blood and urine to be sent to” the lab, "but they [racing officials] refused to send” the urine, alleging, "they only sent the blood.”
The lawyer also states that Medina Spirit's team was informed earlier this week that the lab “found betamethasone” in the sample.
“They estimated it was 25 picograms,” he added.
As RadarOnline.com reported, Medina Spirit failed a post-race drug test in May and his famous trainer Bob Baffert was suspended.
At the time, it was revealed the race organizers, Churchill Downs, were in the process of testing a second sample taken from the winning horse.
On Wednesday, the New York Times first reported the second sample came back dirty.
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Several sports fans have weighted in on the controversial matter -- including ex-NFL star O.J. Simpson.
"In sports, it's all about Bob Baffert and the Kentucky Derby," the former athlete said in a since-deleted Twitter rant, just days after the initial announcement.
Calling Baffert a "stand-up guy," O.J. insisted, "I do NOT see Bob Baffert like Lance Armstong."
Making his stance on the matter clear, O.J. added, "I think if there is elevated levels of that substance in the horse's system it was done inadvertently."
