Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

CountAllVotes

(20,868 posts)
Sun May 9, 2021, 03:43 PM May 2021

Medina Spirit's Kentucky Derby win could be invalidated after failed drug test;Bob Baffert suspended

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Spazito (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: CBS

Medina Spirit, winner of the 2021 Kentucky Derby, failed a post-race drug test, trainer Bob Baffert said Sunday. The failed test could invalidate the May 1 victory for Medina Spirit, who gave Baffert his seventh Kentucky Derby victory. Baffert held a press conference on Sunday, saying the horse had 21 picograms of a steroid, betamethasone, in its system, which is more than double the legal allotment for horse racing in Kentucky.

Shortly after the news broke, Baffert was suspended from entering horses by Churchill Downs, the famous track that hosts the Kentucky Derby. The race track also said that Medina Spirit's victory will be invalidated "if the findings are upheld." In that case, second-place finisher Mandaloun would be declared the 2021 Kentrucky Derby winner.

Here's the full statement from Churchill Downs:

It is our understanding that Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit's post-race blood sample indicated a violation of the Commonwealth of Kentucky's equine medication protocols. The connections of Medina Spirit have the right to request a test of a split sample and we understand they intend to do so. To be clear, if the findings are upheld, Medina Spirit's results in the Kentucky Derby will be invalidated and Mandaloun will be declared the winner.

Failure to comply with the rules and medication protocols jeopardizes the safety of the horses and jockeys, the integrity of our sport and the reputation of the Kentucky Derby and all who participate. Churchill Downs will not tolerate it. Given the seriousness of the alleged offense, Churchill Downs will immediately suspend Bob Baffert, the trainer of Medina Spirit, from entering any horses at Churchill Downs Racetrack. We will await the conclusion of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commissions' investigation before taking further steps.



Read more: https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/medina-spirits-kentucky-derby-win-could-be-invalidated-after-failed-drug-test-bob-baffert-suspended/



BAFFERT SUSPENDED!

For good I hope!

Baffert is a disgrace to the United States and to horse racing.

And for jockey Velasquez, are you a liar too? ARE YOU?

As for the poor horse, Medina Spirit, !!!



18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

dchill

(38,472 posts)
1. Audit! Recount!!
Sun May 9, 2021, 03:50 PM
May 2021

multigraincracker

(32,673 posts)
2. What happens with all the bookies
Sun May 9, 2021, 03:52 PM
May 2021

and bets?

CountAllVotes

(20,868 posts)
4. The bets were paid at the end of the race
Sun May 9, 2021, 03:57 PM
May 2021

Bookies almost always pay out bets according to the official result, as announced at the finish of the event. Subsequent changes due to disqualifications, disciplinary hearings or other such actions are disregarded.

More here:

https://www.bestbettingsites.org.uk/faq/what-happens-if-a-result-changes-after-a-bet-has-been-settled/

Baffert and his ilk still made a bundle on this sick situation.

Damn them all!

Damn them!

I do not bet on the horses, I am an admirer of horses, so I cannot answer specific questions re: bets and the like, sorry.



OnDoutside

(19,953 posts)
3. Hopefully the horse seeks the help it desperately needs.
Sun May 9, 2021, 03:54 PM
May 2021

CountAllVotes

(20,868 posts)
5. The horse should be retired IMO
Sun May 9, 2021, 03:58 PM
May 2021

Poor fellow has suffered enough. That's what I think.

Time to retire him to the breeding stable I suppose.

Sibelius Fan

(24,396 posts)
6. Horse racing is America's version of the Tour de France.
Sun May 9, 2021, 04:04 PM
May 2021

I’m a big fan of Le Tour, but I watch it fully expecting to learn that riders are doping etc.

Cicada

(4,533 posts)
7. My vet worked on race horses, said they tested drugs on bicyclists before risking valuable horses
Sun May 9, 2021, 04:04 PM
May 2021

If it didn’t kill a Tour de France racer then they might risk it on a much more valuable race horse.

I had a client turn down, adjusted for inflation, 29 million dollars for a horse. I thought he was crazy. Three months later he got $39 million.



keithsw

(436 posts)
8. I grew up in Kentucky
Sun May 9, 2021, 05:13 PM
May 2021

And lived there most of my life and spent a lot of time around the tracks. Baffert juicing horses has been a rumor for years

George II

(67,782 posts)
10. He's had five positives in the last year or so, four in major races. Plus his horse 3 years ago....
Sun May 9, 2021, 05:20 PM
May 2021

...Justify, was positive in California before the Kentucky Derby but the California Racing Commission kept it quiet until after the Derby. The head of the Commission has a financial interest in some of Baffert's horses.

Response to George II (Reply #10)

twogunsid

(1,607 posts)
15. I think this is in reference to the 2 lidocaine positives...
Sun May 9, 2021, 08:25 PM
May 2021

...he had in Arkansas in May 2020 and the betamethasone positive he had in October of 2020 with the filly Gamine in the Kentucky Oaks.

Response to twogunsid (Reply #15)

debsy

(530 posts)
9. KY. Mitch McConnell. Oleg Deripaska. The Russian oligarchy and mob. Donald Trump complaining.
Sun May 9, 2021, 05:15 PM
May 2021

I'm with Bob Baffert on this one. I don't even know anything about horse racing or Bob Baffert but I do know that if DJT is making statements, my bet is that he and his Russian pals lost money on the race and they have something to do with this.

I certainly don't blame the horse and do not support horse or dog racing.

https://apnews.com/article/medina-spirit-kentucky-derby-positive-drug-test-bob-baffert-f91ccf1fb6a44c3f948a3a2cd2c8c1a9

Stallion

(6,474 posts)
12. The First Step is for the Horse to Admit He's Got a Problem
Sun May 9, 2021, 06:16 PM
May 2021

Baffert said it wasn't him

George II

(67,782 posts)
11. He's only suspended at Churchill Downs, and he's not a regular there anyway.
Sun May 9, 2021, 06:12 PM
May 2021

BarbD

(1,192 posts)
14. Stopped watching the Triple Crown after Barbaro shattered his leg in 2006.
Sun May 9, 2021, 08:01 PM
May 2021

Big Pharma rules racing in the U.S. It's disgusting.

Remember the joy of watching Secretariat? A very sound horse who loved to run.

oioioi

(1,127 posts)
16. The Final Race
Sun May 9, 2021, 08:31 PM
May 2021

Spazito

(50,290 posts)
18. *LOCKING*
Sun May 9, 2021, 11:41 PM
May 2021

This OP is a duplicate of an earlier OP:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142740510

The SOP for this forum states:

No duplicates.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Medina Spirit's Kentucky ...