My Soapbox for Equestrian Writings
Two hundred and ninety one days after Medina Spirit crossed the finish line first in the 2021 Kentucky Derby, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission stewards have overturned his win and disqualified the colt for testing positive for betamethasone after the race. In addition, trainer Bob Baffert was fined $7,500. His lawyers are now appealing this […]
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The “B” sample of Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit has tested positive for betamethasone, at a prohibited level, putting his Derby win in contention. Trainer Bob Baffert chose a laboratory at the University of California, Davis, from a list of approved labs, to perform the second test. In response to the findings, Churchill Downs immediately […]
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Could we have another Kentucky Derby DQ? Medina Spirit has failed a post-Derby drug test, testing positive for betamethasone, an anti-inflammatory steroid used to treat joint pain in horses. Betamethasone is not an illegal drug, but Kentucky restricts its use to more than 14 days before a race. The test showed that Medina Spirit revealed […]
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With all attention focused on Essential Quality, Medina Spirit (12-1) put in a perfect trip, led almost the entire way, and fought off a home stretch challenge by Mandaloun and Hot Rod Charlie. Essential Quality made a bid on the stretch but finished fourth. In fact the run down the stretch was quite exciting, with […]
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The 2021 Kentucky Derby is back to is “regular” scheduling — the first weekend in May. Nineteen horses will compete for the 147th running of the race — King Fury was scratched when he spiked a fever after this morning’s gallop. This year there will even be a limited number of fans. The stands (reserved […]
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With his win today in the Kentucky Derby, Authentic made the second big race of the meet another upset, following in the shoes of Shedaresthedevil’s win in the Oaks. Authentic won Derby in style today, holding off Tiz the Law at the end. Of course, he was one of the horses that I hadn’t previewed […]
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In another great Kentucky Derby helmet cam we get to ride along while Max Player visits the starting gate and gallops. One of the fascinating parts of this video is it shows you just how tight the quarters are in those starting gates and highlights the danger the assistant starters are in as they wait […]
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As we count down to the 2020 Kentucky Derby, you can take a ride on King Guillermo thanks to this thrilling helmet cam video. The Derby contender caught handicappers’ attention with a speedy workout on Saturday — five furlongs in 00:58.20. King Guillermo is owned by five-time Major League Baseball player Victor Martinez. I’ll be […]
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