Churchill Downs: Justify passed Kentucky Derby drug tests

Churchill Downs president Kevin Flanery issued a statement Thursday denying reports that 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify failed a drug test in the weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby.

"Until media reports surfaced Wednesday night, neither Churchill Downs nor the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission had knowledge of any potential positive tests that may have emanated from California in advance of the 2018 Kentucky Derby," Flanery said in a statement obtained by Pat Forde of Yahoo! Sports.

"We do know that all pre- and post-race tests for 2018 Kentucky Derby participants came back clean, including Justify. In advance of our race each year, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission conducts pre-race out-of-competition testing for every Kentucky Derby starter and all starters' results were clean. After the race, the top finishers are tested for a myriad of banned substances and the results for all were clean."

On Wednesday, a New York Times report stated that Justify failed a drug test following the horse's victory at the Santa Anita Derby - which Justify needed to win in order to qualify for Kentucky. The failed test should have resulted in Justify's disqualification from both races, as well as forfeiture of any prize money.

Justify reportedly tested positive for the banned substance scopolamine, but documents reviewed by the Times indicated that the California Horse Racing Board buried the evidence before agreeing to reduce penalties for that particular banned substance.

Justify went on to win the Kentucky Derby followed by the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, becoming the second Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978, and the 13th in the sport's history.