Suspicions continue in the case and death of Medina Spirit

WLKY reports the following on 14th Feb, 2022:

Nine months after Medina Spirit won the 2021 Kentucky Derby, the outcome of the race is in the hands of the stewards.

Kentucky racing officials are now deciding on the fate of Medina Spirit after a positive post-race drug test. It all hinges on the way the rule is written.

In Kentucky racing rules, the drug betamethasone is barred if it’s injected. Trainer Bob Baffert argues in this case, it was topical and there is no violation.

Baffert and his lawyers, including Craig Robertson, made their case to three stewards Monday in Lexington. That included presenting evidence the drug used was topical — with medical experts to back them up.

Robertson said the Baffert team is cautiously optimistic the three stewards will rule in their favor. It takes a simple majority in a vote by them to make a decision.

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Medical experts to “back them up”. What a farce. Where were they in previous hearings? Perhaps we missed that bit.

Of course Medina Spirit’s connections are going to continue to fight to the bitter end for the horse’s victory in the Kentucky Derby including of course the prize money. There is also the prestige — in this case in a most vulgar sort of way. The horse is dead. That will not trouble these individuals in our opinion.

The horse is dead

In the meantime, notice they do not mention that the horse is dead. Not only is Medina Spirit dead — he dropped dead one morning while breezing. Breezing? The opinions on exactly how and why this poor horse literally dropped dead in his tracks — are mixed. What would make a healthy or even semi-healthy horse collapse and die even if he had been “galloped out”?

It is all highly, sickeningly suspicious. But it doesn’t matter a goddamn.

The horse was reportedly insured for $50 Million. Who knows? If Baffert and the horse’s connections can get a Kentucky Derby victory in the books, there will be some money in that, and they will have the insurance money — however many millions that turns out to be.

In the meantime . . . . remember. This is no ordinary story. Poor Medina Spirit was in the power of the suspiciously notorious Bob Baffert. What did or did not happen to Medina Spirit will never likely be known. There is little doubt in our minds that this is exactly the way “they” — whomever “they” are — wish it will be. And it is giving every appearance they will have it exactly that way.

Forbes have done a very good job on this story. It is entitled “Kentucky Derby Winner Spirit Dies Amid Doping.” It was published the first week of December, last. You can read or listen (3 minutes). If you have not been following this tragic tale, it is a good way to catch up, or freshen your memory.

God bless Medina Spirit.

FEATURED IMAGE. Creator: Rob Carr. Credit: Getty Images.
Copyright: 2021 Getty Images.

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Tuesday’s Horse

Official Blog of the Fund for Horses