Medina Spirit, the Kentucky Derby winner who recently failed a drug test, earned the No. 3 post Tuesday for this weekend’s Preakness Stakes after getting approval to remain in the race. Medina Spirit was the morning-line favorite at 9-5.
Prior to the draw, 1/ST RACING and the Maryland Jockey Club said in a statement that Medina Spirit could race “with rigorous conditions to entry along with a binding commitment from Bob Baffert to full transparency of medical and testing results that will allow for all results to be released to the public.”
Craig Robertson, Baffert’s attorney, sent a letter to the Maryland Jockey Club and the Maryland Racing Commission saying Baffert’s two colts Medina Spirit and Concert Tour — and Baffert’s filly Beautiful Gift, who is entered in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on Friday — were tested upon arrival at Pimlico Race Course. Concert Tour drew the No. 10 position at 5-2.
If any of Baffert’s three horses test positive for a banned substance, they will be scratched from the race at Pimlico, the letter said.
Ahead of the post position draw, questions swirled over whether Medina Spirit would be allowed to race this weekend. On Sunday, Churchill Downs announced the horse tested positive for betamethasone, an anti-inflammatory, and suspended trainer Bob Baffert from entering horses at the racetrack.
Baffert said in a statement on Tuesday that Medina Spirit was treated for dermatitis with an anti-fungal ointment containing the steroid betamethasone, causing the horse to fail the drug test. The treatment lasted until the day before the Kentucky Derby.
Baffert previously refuted Medina Spirit’s positive test, saying the horse was “never treated” with betamethasone. Medina Spirit has not been disqualified from the Derby while further testing is done.
The full draw, with morning-line odds:
- Ram (30-1)
- Keepmeinmind (15-1)
- Medina Spirit (9-5)
- Crowded Trade (10-1)
- Midnight Bourbon (5-1)
- Rombauer (12-1)
- France Go De Ina (20-1)
- Unbridled Honor (15-1)
- Risk Taking (15-1)
- Concert Tour (5-2)
This story will be updated.
