Churchill Downs Inc. has lifted its ban on trainer Bob Baffert, allowing him to race his horses at their tracks once again. This decision follows Baffert’s statement in which he accepted responsibility for Medina Spirit’s positive drug test after winning the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
Baffert also expressed his desire to move past this chapter, stating that he and his family want to “get back to doing what we love without any more distractions or negativity.”
Medina Spirit Disqualified
This decision brings an end to the saga that started shortly after Medina Spirit’s surprising victory at the Derby, involving lawsuits and impacting the reputation of one of horse racing’s most renowned trainers.
Post-race tests revealed that the three-year-old colt had 21 pg/ml of the anti-inflammatory steroid betamethasone in his system. As a result, Medina Spirit was disqualified, and the $1.8 million winner’s prize was awarded to the second-place finisher, Mandaloun.
In Kentucky, betamethasone is a Class C drug allowed for therapeutic use in horses but requires a 14-day withdrawal period before racing.
‘False Narrative’
In 2022, Baffert sued Churchill Downs to have the ban lifted, but his efforts were unsuccessful. At that time, the racetrack accused Baffert of “peddling a false narrative” about the failed drug test.
The controversy intensified six months after the Derby when Medina Spirit collapsed and died of a heart attack during a workout at Santa Anita Park. Veterinary officials who examined the horse found no evidence of doping, but the exact cause of death remained undetermined.
Explore the best online betting site Singapore with Octabet betting news. Start your winning journey today! Register now!
