Bob Baffert Suspended From Churchill Downs Following Positive Drug Test On Kentucky Derby Winner Medina Spirit

Highly regarded and revered as one of the best horse trainers in the sport’s storied history, Bob Baffert is once again surrounded by controversy. Medina Spirit may have crossed the line first in last Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, but the victory might not last forever.

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Instead, horse racing’s 2021 Triple Crown is as muddy as ever with the Preakness Stakes just one week out. Medina Spirit tested positive for a steroid drug after last weekend’s Derby and could very well be stripped of the win.

Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit fails post-race drug test https://t.co/zq4DMeByIk pic.twitter.com/mvwGQ5g7hd

— New York Post (@nypost) May 9, 2021

While an investigation into the positive test is still forthcoming, it didn’t stop Churchill Downs from suspending Bob Baffert on Sunday morning.

BREAKING: Churchill Downs says Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit could be disqualified after a positive drug test; says it has suspended trainer Bob Baffert. https://t.co/XmVZ2TBwxo

— The Associated Press (@AP) May 9, 2021

Cheat, cheat, never beat.

Of course, this isn’t the first time that Baffert has found himself in hot water for horse doping. So while he may have set a record for most Kentucky Derby wins as a trainer (seven) last weekend, who knows whether that record is actually legitimate.

To no one’s surprise, Bob Baffert has denied any and all wrongdoing with regard to the failed test.

Trainer Bob Baffert, who won a record-setting seventh Kentucky Derby with Medina Spirit this month, said the dark bay colt failed a post-race drug test, but denied the horse was treated with the drug in question, betamethasone. More here: https://t.co/m5zkTojfHb pic.twitter.com/E6tujtLuiU

— Reuters Sports (@ReutersSports) May 9, 2021

Man is out here saying HE got the “biggest gut punch”? What about us fans that wager on and tune in for the biggest horse race of the year, Bob? Is a clean race too much to ask for?? No wonder the sport is dying out.

Churchill Downs released the following statement regarding the positive test and Baffert’s suspension:

https://twitter.com/ArchieBrookes8/status/1391421155484049413?s=20

Should the investigation uphold the test results, Medina Spirit would be just the third horse in the 147-year history of the Kentucky Derby to be disqualified after crossing the line first. It would also be the second such occurrence in the last three years.

Runner-up finisher Mandaloun is now on stand-by as an alternate Kentucky Derby champion. So, I guess stay tuned this week to find out who the REAL winner is!

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