Medina Spirit, a 3-year-old filly whose Kentucky Derby win in May was being investigated for a positive medicine test, collapsed and died after a practice on Monday in Santa Anita, Southern California.
Trainer Bob Baffert said in a statement that the horse had suffered a heart strike. The colt had just completed five lengths in his second practice since finishing second at the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar a month ago.
“My whole barn is devastated by this news,” Baffert said. “Medina Spirit was a great champion, a member of our family who was loved by everyone, and we deeply mourn his loss. I will always cherish the proud and personal memories of the spirit of Medina and his great spirit.”
Santa Anita said in a statement that the Track Veterinary Team had taken blood, hair and urine samples from Medina Spirit and sent them to the California Horse Racing Board. The foal will undergo a full necropsy as required by the racing council to establish the exact cause of passed away.
No timetable has been given for the completion of the necropsy.
Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone, a lawful medicine that is not approved on race day, after her win in the Kentucky Derby on May 1. The win is Baffert’s seventh record win in the derby.
But after the failure of the Medina Spirit test, Baffert was suspended from Churchill Downs and banned from horses during the Kentucky derbies. It was also banned by the New York Racing Association from entering the horses on its tracks at Belmont, Saratoga and Aqueduct.
Last Friday, Craig Robertson, Baffert’s lawyer, released a statement claiming that tests conducted by a New York laboratory had “definitely confirmed” that Medina Spirit was positive for the steroid — not by injection, but due to an ointment used to treat a rash.
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is investigating the matter and has yet to hold a hearing that could potentially disqualify Medina Spirit.
At last month’s million classic in British Columbia, Medina Spirit couldn’t muster the after kick necessary to browbeat the winning Knicks Go.
“I am very proud of him. He did a great race,” Baffert said last month. “For me, he’s the best 3-year-old. He showed it today. That’s what the race is, prove it on the track. And he proved it today that it’s the real deal.”
Baffert was allowed to register horses for the end-of-season World Championships, but the event’s most profitable trainer had to meet some conditions, including stricter out-of-competition testing of his horses and more safety in his stable. He accepted the additional examination and was obliged to pay it out of his own pocket.
Medina Spirit has five wins in 10 career starts and winnings of according to Equibase. The foal belonged to Amr Zedan, who competes under the name Zedan Racing Stables.
“Our deepest condolences go to Mr. AMR Zedan and the whole family of the Zedan racing stables,” Baffert said in his statement on Monday. “They are in our thoughts and prayers as we go through this difficult time.”