Medina Spirit

Medina Spirit
SireProtonico
GrandsireGiant's Causeway
DamMongolian Changa
DamsireBrilliant Speed
SexColt
FoaledApril 5, 2018[1]
Ocala, Florida, U.S.
DiedDecember 6, 2021(2021-12-06) (aged 3)
Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California, U.S.
CountryUnited States
ColorDark bay
BreederGail Rice
OwnerZedan Racing Stables (Amr Zedan)
TrainerBob Baffert
Record10: 4–4–1
Earnings$3,545,200[2]
Major wins
Robert B. Lewis Stakes (2021)
Shared Belief Stakes (2021)
Awesome Again Stakes (2021)
Last updated on February 21, 2022

Medina Spirit (April 5, 2018 – December 6, 2021) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who finished first in the 2021 Kentucky Derby before being disqualified. He came second in the 2021 Breeders' Cup Classic and third in the 2021 Preakness Stakes.

Medina Spirit qualified for the Kentucky Derby with a win in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes and second place finishes in the San Felipe Stakes and Santa Anita Derby. In the Kentucky Derby he was a long shot with post-time odds of 12–1.[3] He crossed the finish line first in the Derby, but was later disqualified after testing positive for the anti-inflammatory steroid betamethasone.[4][5][6] After the Kentucky Derby, Medina Spirit finished third in the Preakness Stakes, but a few days later the New York racing officials banned Medina Spirit and his trainer Bob Baffert from participating in the Belmont Stakes because of the drug violations.[7] Later that year, Medina Spirit won the Shared Belief Stakes and Awesome Again Stakes before coming second in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Equineline was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Profile of Medina Spirit". Equibase. Archived from the original on May 2, 2021. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference BH-Derby was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Crosby, Claire (May 9, 2021). "Medina Spirit Tests Positive for Betamethasone". bloodhorse.com. The BloodHorse. Archived from the original on May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  5. ^ Graves, Gary (May 9, 2021). "Baffert says Derby winner Medina Spirit tested positive". apnews.com. Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  6. ^ "Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit disqualified; trainer Bob Baffert suspended for 90 days". The Washington Post. February 21, 2022.
  7. ^ Drape, Joe (May 17, 2021). "New York Racing Officials Suspend Baffert From Belmont Stakes". New York Times. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.