Bob Baffert told the Daily Racing Form on Sunday that the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 17 might not be in play for his Kentucky Derby first-place finisher Medina Spirt. The embattled trainer had previously suggested the Haskell as the colt's likely first start since finishing third in the Preakness Stakes.
“It might get here too soon,” Baffert told DRF. “I freshened him a little bit, but he's training every day.”
The Haskell is a “Win and You're In” race for the Breeders' Cup Classic this fall at Del Mar.
Medina Spirit has only breezed once since the May 15 Preakness, a three-furlong move at Santa Anita in 37.60 seconds on June 14.
The Protonico colt's Derby win is in jeopardy due to a positive post-race test result for betamethasone, a therapeutic medication that is not allowed on race day. Baffert and his attorney have claimed the positive is a result of a topical cream used to treat a case of dermatitis on the colt's hindquarters. Though the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has not yet held a hearing, required to disqualify Medina Spirit, but Baffert and his attorney have already filed suit against the commission asking a judge to grant further testing of the post-race samples.
Read more at the Daily Racing Form.
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