Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit faces disqualification after 2nd drug test fail

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit’s positive post-race drug test has been confirmed, according to trainer Bob Baffert’s attorney Craig Robertson.

After the May 1 race, the first leg of the famed Triple Crown, Baffert revealed that Medina Spirit had tested positive for elevated levels of betamethasone.

Betamethasone is an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid that is allowed in horse racing at a certain level. But Baffert said he was informed that Medina Spirit’s postrace test detected 21 picograms per milliliter — more than double the legal threshold in Kentucky racing.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission — which is still investigating the failed drug test — has not responded to CNN’s request for comment.

The finding could throw the colt’s victory at Churchill Downs into question.

Baffert would have a chance to appeal the confirmation of the original test result. If an appeal is unsuccessful, Medina Spirit would be stripped of the Kentucky Derby crown as well as the winning prize money. The last winning horse to be disqualified from the Kentucky Derby after failing a drug test was Dancer’s Image in 1968.

In a statement to CNN on Wednesday, Robertson said, “Medina Spirit split sample confirmed the finding of betamethasone at 25 picograms. There is other testing that is being conducted, including DNA testing. We expect this additional testing to confirm that the presence of the betamethasone was from the topical ointment, Otomax, and not an injection.

“At the end of the day, we anticipate this case to be about the treatment of Medina Spirit’s skin rash with Otomax. We will have nothing further to say until the additional testing is complete.”

Churchill Downs said in a statement in May, “if the findings are upheld, Medina Spirit’s results in the Kentucky Derby will be invalidated and Mandaloun will be declared the winner.”