Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board Rule 1846.6, a Postmortem Examination Review (PER) was completed on the sudden death of Medina Spirit, which occurred following a workout at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. on Dec. 6, 2021.
Based on the forensic examination and the postmortem review on Medina Spirit, the CHRB did not identify any potential CHRB violations that require further investigation.
This process takes place for every fatality occurring at a CHRB regulated facility and is performed by a team consisting of an Official Veterinarian, a safety steward, and a member of the Board of Stewards – in this case, Dr. Alina Vale, David Neusch (safety steward), and Kim Sawyer (steward).
In all cases, the PER panel strives to learn the circumstances surrounding the fatality, which involves reviewing the necropsy report, medical records, and training records in an effort to identify any at-risk factors in preparation for interviews with the trainers, attending veterinarians, and any other licensees deemed appropriate.
A more detailed description is provided in Rule 1846.6.
The PER includes a summary of the necropsy report, which was released in full on Feb. 11, 2022. The necropsy did not determine the definitive cause of death, however, sudden cardiorespiratory arrest was suspected. Two legal therapeutic medications were found in Medina Spirit's samples, according to the toxicology report: furosemide (Lasix) and omeprazole sulfide (an anti-ulcer medication).
The racing/training history included in the PER indicates that Medina Spirit ran second in the Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 6, 2021, and returned to breezing with a three-furlong move on Nov. 26 with the goal of targeting the Saudi Cup. He walked the next day, jogged one day, and then galloped for seven days prior to his final workout. Baffert had planned to work Medina Spirit on Dec. 5, but fog closed the main track to workouts that morning, so the work was pushed to Dec. 6.
“The trainer described the horse as tall with a slight (light) build,” the PER reads. “The trainer explained the horse was remarkable in that he wouldn't blow (breath heavily) nor appear tired after high-speed exercise. The horse routinely wore a tongue tie during high-speed exercise to prevent dorsal displacement of the soft palate, and furosemide was used for timed workouts to prevent exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. The horse routinely received GastroGard (omeprazole), vitamins, electrolytes, and Finish First supplements.”
The PER also includes a summary of Medina Spirit's medical history, highlights of which include:
- He underwent entrapped epiglottis release surgery on March 10, 2021, and was treated with “throat spray” through April 24.
- He was on the CHRB vet's list for hock injections with hyaluronic acid and Vetalog (triamcinolone) on April 5, 2021.
- A skin infection prompted the dispensation of topical Otomax (ingredients gentamicin, betamethasone valerate and clotrimazole) on April 9 and April 19, oral griseofulvin (antifungal used to treat ringworm) on April 12, and topical Equishield CK shampoo on April 19.
- Mild hind end weakness was detected on June 21, and a blood titer for Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) was submitted, and on June 25 a full body nuclear scintigraphy exam was performed. Based on blood test results, Marquis (ponazuril, EPM treatment) was dispensed on July 2.
- After the Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 6, Medina Spirit was diagnosed with a small ulcer along the free border of his soft palate. Throat spray (ingredients include gentamicin, dexamethasone and DMSO) was dispensed.
- Prior to his work on Nov. 26, Medina Spirit received furosemide, then after the work he received a vitamin injection (Vitamin B 12, Vitamin B complex and Vitamin C). On that date, an endoscopic exam revealed the ulcer on his palate had resolved.
- GastroGard was dispensed on Nov. 29 and Dec. 4.
- Medina Spirit received a furosemide injection on Dec. 5, the date his work was cancelled due to fog.
- On the morning of Dec. 6, Medina Spirit received 150 mg of furosemide at 5:15 AM.
The full PER can be seen here: Final Medina Spirit Postmortem Examination Review.
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