Bill Brine / CC
The finish of the Kentucky Derby is in question, after the winner MEDINA SPIRIT failed a drug test. (???)
The horse tested positive for betamethasone, a steroid injected into the joints to reduce pain and swelling. If he fails a second test, he can be stripped of his title, and the runner up, Mandaloun, will be declared the winner.
Medina Spirit’s trainer, Bob Baffert, says something doesn’t add up. Quote, “I was totally shocked when I heard this news. The last thing I want to do is something that would jeopardize the greatest sport . . .
“This is a pretty serious accusation. We’re going to get to the bottom of it. We didn’t do it.”
Churchill Downs has suspended Baffert from entering other horses there. The Preakness Stakes goes down this Saturday in Baltimore. They haven’t decided if they’ll let Medina Spirit run.
Horse racing has a pretty serious doping problem . . . and Baffert has faced dozens of allegations over the years. But Medina Spirit is in jeopardy of becoming only the THIRD horse in the 147-year history of the Kentucky Derby to be stripped of a victory.
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