DONALD TRUMP has branded Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit a ‘junky’ in a bizarre statement following the horse’s failed drugs test.
The Bob Baffert-trained horse won America’s most famous race – worth £1.3m to the winner – at Churchill Downs on May 1.
Baffert, who was celebrating a record seventh win in the Derby, said the new finding was a ‘gut punch’ and denied any wrongdoing.
But former US President Trump was having none of it and labelled the horse a disparaging term for a drug addict on his official site.
Trump, 74, wrote in his blog: “So now even our Kentucky Derby winner, Medina Spirit, is a junky.
“This is emblematic of what is happening to our Country. The whole world is laughing at us as we go to hell on our Borders, our fake Presidential Election, and everywhere else!”
Baffert revealed on Sunday that Medina Spirit had tested positive for betamethasone – an anti-inflammatory steroid – in a post-race drug test.
A second positive test is required before a horse can be disqualified.
Hall of Fame trainer Baffert, 68, said: “I got the biggest gut punch in racing for something I didn’t do.
“It’s such an injustice to the horse. I don’t feel embarrassed, I feel like I was robbed.
“But I’m going to fight it tooth and nail, because I owe it to the horse, I owe it to the owner and I owe it to our industry.
“There are problems in racing, but it’s not Bob Baffert. I don’t believe in conspiracy theories, but why is it happening to me?”
“This shouldn’t have happened. There’s a problem somewhere. It didn’t come from us.”
If Medina Spirit – whose tale is a true rags to riches story after being bought for just £723 – returns a second positive then runner-up Mandaloun will be promoted to winner.
Baffert last month successfully overturned a ban after two of his horses – Gamine and Charlatan – returned adverse findings.
He was fined just over £7,000 instead.
Medina Spirit is currently favourite for Saturday’s Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown.
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to SE. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
