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Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit’s set to be disqualified after positive drugs test confirmed by SECOND sample

, Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit’s set to be disqualified after positive drugs test confirmed by SECOND sample

MEDINA Spirit’s positive drug test after winning the Kentucky Derby has been confirmed by a second sample and could now be disqualified.

A lawyer for the owner confirmed the news in the States this afternoon.

A total of 31 horses have tested positive for banned substances in the last four decades

The news will lead to increased calls for Bab Baffert’s horse to be disqualified and the result of the $1.85 million race changed.

Baffert had previously stated he would appeal and that the positive result was down to a skin ointment used to treat a skin infection.

Clark Brewster, the lawyer for Amr Zedan who owns Medina Spirit confirmed the additional post-race sample tested positive for an elevated level of betamethasone – a banned substance.

He also told the New York Times, they did not test the blood or urine samples for other compounds, “which could prove the trace positive came from an inadvertent and materially inconsequential contamination sourced from a topical ointment used to treat Medina Spirit for a skin lesion on his hip.”

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Lawyers are hopeful a THIRD test can be carried out from the horse to determine whether there are chemicals that would support the claim by Baffert that betamethasone came from an ointment, and not an injection.

Baffert said after the original positive test: “I had him checked out by my veterinarian who recommended the use of an anti-fungal ointment called Otomax.

“The veterinary recommendation was to apply this ointment daily to give the horse relief, help heal the dermatitis, and prevent it from spreading.

“My barn followed this recommendation and Medina Spirit was treated with Otomax once a day up until the day before the Kentucky Derby.

Baffert and winning jockey John Velazquez

“While we do not know definitively that this was the source of the alleged 21 picograms found in Medina Spirit’s post-race blood sample, and our investigation is continuing, I have been told by equine pharmacology experts that this could explain the test results.

“As such, I wanted to be forthright about this fact as soon as I learned of this information. I intend to continue to investigate and I will continue to be transparent.”

Even Donald Trump got involved in the controversy after the race and labelled Medina Spirit a ‘junky’.

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A total of 31 horses under Baffert’s care have tested positive for banned substances.

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Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/the-secret-behind-thick-racehorse-who-stunned-punters-with-incredible-200-1-win-but-trainer-didnt-have-a-penny-on

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