A second blood test confirmed Medina Spirit won the Kentucky Derby with an illegal amount of betamethasone in its system, a lawyer for the horse's owner told Joe Drape of The New York Times.
Medina Spirit first tested positive for betamethasone, an anti-inflammatory that helps treat osteoarthritis in horses, after galloping to victory May 1. The initial post-race test, the results of which were announced May 9, discovered 21 picograms of betamethasone in Medina Spirit's system, twice the amount the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission allows.
Medina Spirit is set to be the second winning horse in the 147-year history of the Kentucky Derby to be disqualified due to a failed drug test, per Drape. That would make runner-up Mandaloun the new champion. However, Mandaloun bettors won't be paid or refunded even if the result is officially overturned, according to ESPN.
Clark Brewster, the attorney for Medina Spirit's owner, said officials are allowing another lab to analyze a third sample, per Drape. Testers will be tasked with determining the possibility that an antifungal ointment triggered Medina Spirit's positive test rather than an injection.
The second test - conducted at the University of California, Davis - didn't examine whether other compounds were present. Brewster said additional compounds "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."
Brewster added that the first blood and urine samples will go to an independent lab to test for other compounds as well.
Sherelle Roberts, a spokesperson for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, told Drape the organization won't provide updates on the ongoing investigation.
Medina Spirit's trainer, Bob Baffert, has denied injecting the colt illegally. Churchill Downs indefinitely suspended the Hall of Famer, who's been involved in several controversies throughout his career.
Medina Spirit raced in the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Triple Crown, and finished in third place two weeks after the Kentucky Derby.
