Kentucky Derby winning horse Medina Spirit has failed a post-race drug test, again putting his trainer Bob Baffert under scrutiny.
Medina Spirit cannot be disqualified until a split sample confirms the result. The trainer will then have the chance to appeal. If disqualified, Medina Spirit would be stripped of the Derby title and the winning purse.
In a news conference this morning at Churchill Downs, Baffert said neither he nor anyone on his team administered the drug betamethasone to Medina Spirit.
“I was totally shocked when I heard this news,” Baffert said. “I’m still trying to absorb it. I am the most scrutinized trainer. And I am okay with that. The last thing I want to do is something that would jeopardize the greatest sport.”