The first place-finisher in the Kentucky Derby, Medina Spirit has been installed as the 9-5 favorite for Saturday's running of the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. Conditioned by Bob Baffert, the 3-year-old son of Protonico will leave the starting gate from post position three under jockey John Velazquez.
The Preakness post position draw was originally scheduled for Monday, May 10, but officials pushed the draw back to Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. after trainer Bob Baffert announced Sunday that Medina Spirit's post-race sample from the Kentucky Derby returned a positive result for betamethasone. Baffert initially claimed the colt had never been treated with betamethasone, but on Tuesday morning announced that he had been treated with a topical ointment containing the medication.
An agreement was reached Tuesday afternoon between Baffert's attorney and the Maryland Jockey Club to allow Baffert's horses, both Medina Spirit and Concert Tour, to run in the Preakness. For more details about that agreement, click here.
The full field for the Preakness Stakes is as follows:
- Ram – D. Wayne Lukas – 30/1
- Keepmeinmind – Robertino Diodoro – 15/1
- Medina Spirit – Bob Baffert – 9/5
- Crowded Trade – Chad Brown – 10/1
- Midnight Bourbon – Steve Asmussen – 5/1
- Rombauer – Michael McCarthy – 12/1
- France Go De Ina – Hideyuki Mori – 20/1
- Unbridled Honor – Todd Pletcher – 6/1
- Risk Taking – Chad Brown – 15/1
- Concert Tour – Bob Baffert – 5/2
The post Medina Spirit Draws Post Three, Installed As 9-5 Favorite For Preakness Stakes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
