LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit failed a post-race drug test.
That's according to Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who says he was informed by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission that his horse tested positive for betamethasone, a therapeutic steroid.
He denies Medina Spirit was treated with the drug, and he vowed to "fight it tooth and nail."
Baffert says, as of now, the horse is not disqualified from winning the Derby. However Churchill Downs in a statement says if the test results are upheld, Medina Spirit's results will be invalidated and Mandaloun will be declared the winner.
The trainer says he "got the biggest gut punch in racing for something I didn't do."
Medina Spirit gave Baffert a record-setting seventh Kentucky Derby victory. The colt is preparing to race in next weekend's Preakness Stakes. He will be shipped to Baltimore tomorrow (Monday).
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