Medina Spirit cleared to race in Preakness amid drug scandal

Kentucky Derby winner Medina Sprint has been cleared to race in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday amid a scandal surrounding the colt’s positive post-game drug test.

The Maryland Jockey Club and 1 / St Racing said in a statement that the colt will be allowed to enter “with rigorous conditions to entry along with a binding commitment” from trainer Bob Baffert ensuring “full transparency of medical and testing results that will allow for all results to be released to the public.”

“As a condition of acceptance of the entry, Baffert has provided his consent to the Maryland Jockey Club to allow for rigorous testing and monitoring in addition to that conducted by the Maryland Racing Commission (MRC),” the statement said.

Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone, an anti-inflammatory, in a post-race drug test. If a second test upholds the results, the colt’s Kentucky Derby win would be disqualified.

The decision on Preakness came hours after Baffert disclosed that the colt was being treated with Otomax, an ointment for dermatitis that he developed on his hind end.

Baffert said he didn’t know the substance contained betamethasone until he was informed Monday. The horse had been given the ointment once per day leading up to the Kentucky Derby on May 1.

In addition to Medina Spirit, Baffert’s Concert Tour is also entered into the Preakness, while Beautiful Gift is entered in the George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, the statement said.

If any of the horses test positive for banned substances or at a level above what is permitted for a therapeutic, then the horse will be scratched.

Baffert’s attorney Craig Robertson told The Hill that he will not be making a statement on the decision.