Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit dies after workout

Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit collapsed and died after a workout Monday at Santa Anita. The 3-year-old colt trained by Bob Baffert had just completed five furlongs in his second workout since finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic a month ago at Del Mar, according to Craig Robertson, Baffert’s attorney.

Santa Anita spokesman Mike Willman also confirmed the colt’s death. The colt will undergo a full necropsy, which is required by the California Horse Racing Board.

After the May 1 Derby, Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone, a legal medication that is not allowed on race day.

A month later, Churchill Downs suspended Baffert for two years after an additional drug test of Medina Spirit confirmed the presence of the steroid in the Kentucky Derby winner’s system. Baffert won’t be able to enter any horses in the Derby or other races at the storied track through the spring of 2023.

Last Friday, Robertson released a statement saying that tests conducted by a New York lab have “definitely confirmed” Medina Spirit tested positive for the steroid not through an injection but due to an ointment used to treat a skin rash.

“In other words, it has now been scientifically proven that what Bob Baffert said from the beginning was true – Medina Spirit was never injected with betamethasone and the findings following the Kentucky Derby were solely the result of the horse being treated for a skin condition by way of a topical ointment – all at the direction of Medina Spirit’s veterinarian,” Robertson’s statement said.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has been investigating the case and has yet to hold a hearing that could possibly disqualify Medina Spirit.

Medina Spirit had five wins in 10 career starts and earnings of $3,545,200, according to Equibase. The colt was owned by Amr Zedan, who competes as Zedan Racing Stables.