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The embattled Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit collapsed and died on the Santa Anita racetrack Monday morning near the end of a five-furlong workout for trainer Bob Baffert.
Working in company under regular exercise rider Juan Ochoa, Medina Spirit collapsed immediately after the finish and was pronounced dead soon thereafter. The 3-year-old colt may have suffered a heart attack. He is not believed to have sustained a leg injury.
Working in company under regular exercise rider Juan Ochoa, Medina Spirit collapsed immediately after the finish and was pronounced dead soon thereafter. The 3-year-old colt may have suffered a heart attack. He is not believed to have sustained a leg injury.
Medina Spirit and Baffert have been under intense scrutiny since the colt tested positive for the prohibited raceday medication betamethasone after winning the Kentucky Derby. Although the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has not issued a ruling following the positive test, Churchill Downs banned Baffert from racing or training there through 2023.
While the case continued to be adjudicated, Medina Spirit put together an outstanding late-season campaign on the racetrack. He scored a five-length victory in the Grade 1 Awesome Again in October at Santa Anita, followed by a runner-up finish behind Knicks Go in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in his most recent start on Nov. 6 at Del Mar.
Baffert was aiming Medina Spirit for the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita, a race that was designed to be a prep for the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 26 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Saudi Arabia. Medina Spirit is owned by Zedan Racing Stables of Amr Zedan.
While the case continued to be adjudicated, Medina Spirit put together an outstanding late-season campaign on the racetrack. He scored a five-length victory in the Grade 1 Awesome Again in October at Santa Anita, followed by a runner-up finish behind Knicks Go in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in his most recent start on Nov. 6 at Del Mar.
Baffert was aiming Medina Spirit for the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita, a race that was designed to be a prep for the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 26 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Saudi Arabia. Medina Spirit is owned by Zedan Racing Stables of Amr Zedan.
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