Bob Baffert | Horse Racing Free Tips

Medina Spirit Collapses, Dies After Santa Anita Workout

This year's Kentucky Derby first-place finisher Medina Spirit collapsed and died after a workout at Santa Anita Park on Monday morning, the California Horse Racing Board's Equine Medical Director Jeff Blea confirmed. Trained by Bob Baffert, the 3-year-old son of Protonico had just completed five furlongs in 1:01.40 in his second work since finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

“I spoke to the attending veterinarian, and when they got to him on the track he had already expired,” said Dr. Blea, former American Association of Equine Practitioners president, speaking from the AAEP convention in Nashville, Tenn. “Not sure where on the track it happened but it was post wire.

“I will have them draw blood and pull hair and will try and get urine for testing. He'll go out to UC Davis in San Bernardino, for a full and
comprehensive necropsy including toxicology, forensics and tissue sampling. We will take a close look at the heart to try and identify the cause of death.”

The colt's Derby win remains in jeopardy due to a positive post-race test result for betamethasone, a therapeutic medication that is not allowed on race day. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has not yet held a hearing, required to disqualify Medina Spirit, but on Friday attorneys for Baffert released a statement claiming that tests conducted by a New York laboratory have “definitively confirmed” Medina Spirit tested positive for a corticosteroid not through an injection but because of an ointment used to treat a skin rash.

Medina Spirit was bred in Florida by Gail Rice, mother of Eclipse Award finalist Taylor Rice (apprentice jockey) and mother-in-law to top jockey Jose Ortiz, out of the Brilliant Speed mare Mongolian Changa. The mare failed to produce milk when Medina Spirit was first born, and Rice had to turn to her only other broodmare, Scribbling Sarah, for assistance. The young Medina Spirit thrived, and his own mom started producing milk several hours later.

Unfortunately, Rice's divorce forced the sale of Medina Spirit as a yearling. He brought the bottom-dollar bid of $1,000 at the OBS Winter Mixed sale in early 2019.

Bloodstock agent Gary Young saw the 2-year-old Medina Spirit at the 2020 OBS July sale, and recommended the purchase to Amr Zedan, who was able to purchase the colt for $35,000.

Medina Spirit won the G3 Bob Lewis, then underwent throat surgery after a sound defeat in the G2 San Felipe. The colt rebounded to run a good second in the G1 Santa Anita Derby before heading to Louisville.

Medina Spirit has run four times since his Kentucky Derby win, finishing third in the Preakness Stakes and recording victories in the Shared Belief Stakes and the Grade 1 Awesome Again. Overall, the colt's record includes five wins, four seconds and a third from 10 starts, with earnings of $3,545,200.

Baffert had been aiming Medina Spirit at the Saudi Cup in February.

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Medina Spirit Dies of Apparent Heart Attack at Santa Anita

by Bill Finley & Dan Ross

Medina Spirit (Protonico) died of an apparent heart attack following a five-furlong workout Monday morning at Santa Anita. The colt's owner, Amr Zedan, confirmed the news to TDN.

The incident happened after Medina Spirit completed a five-furlong workout in 1:01.40.The breeze took place at about 7:45 a.m. PT.

“I just heard. He had a heart attack,” Zedan said. “It was quick and he didn't suffer. It's unfortunate. In a moment like this there is not much that we can do. All I can say is that he gave us the ride of our lives and brought everyone together. We are mourning this loss, Bob [Baffert], myself, our team and Johnny [Velazquez], as well. We are all very sad.”

California Horse Racing Board Equine Medical Director Jeff Blea said after watching a video of the breeze that there were signs of trouble near the conclusion of the workout.

“He looked like he was struggling the last part, and the rider was pulling him up,” Blea said.

Blea added that by the time a track veterinarian reached Medina Spirit, the 3-year-old colt had already died.

It was Medina Spirit's second work since he finished second in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic.

“We had such high hopes for him and so many plans,” Zedan said. “We were going to go to the Saudi Cup and possibly to Dubai. We wanted to campaign him all next year. The last thing I expected was to hear something like this. It is God's will.”

Throughout Medina Spirit's racing career, Zedan has stood by Baffert and continued to do so Monday.

“We have a great team and Bob is an amazing friend and an amazing trainer,” he said. “This unfortunately happens sometimes. I have full confidence in my team and in Bob. Unfortunately, this happens.”

As per usual in California, Medina Spirit will now undergo a full necropsy examination. A panel of experts will also conduct a review of the fatality.

When asked if he believed there were any suspicious precipitating circumstances behind the sudden death, Blea responded in the negative.

“Absolutely not. We'll address this like we do all our fatalities, try to find out the reason for it and how to prevent it in the future,” Blea said. “But at this point, there is nothing that's untoward that I'm concerned about.”

Monday's news was the latest and most tragic twist during a career filled with dizzying highs and lows.

Medina Spirit was sold for just $1,000 as a yearling and later for $35,000 as a 2-year-old at the OBS July 2-Year-Old Sale. After breaking his maiden in his lone start at two, Medina Spirit won the GIII Robert Lewis S. before finishing second in both the GII San Felipe S. and the GI Santa Anita Derby. Dismissed at 12-1, he led every step of the way to cross the wire a half-length in front in the GI Kentucky Derby.

Afterward, however, it was revealed that he had tested positive for the medication betamethasone. That led Churchill Downs to issue a two-year suspension to Baffert, which, as things now stand, will keep him out of the 2022 and 2023 Kentucky Derbies. The New York Racing Association has also attempted to ban Baffert. Its case against him has yet to be resolved.

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As Time Goes By Finds Winning Form Again In Bayakoa

The last time As Time Goes By saw the inside of the winner's circle was after her win in the Grade 2 Santa Maria May 22 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. In the Bayakoa, the daughter of American Pharoah found her winning form again, taking the G3 stakes after shaking off a challenge from Warren's Showtime in the Los Alamitos stretch.

With the scratch of Lisette, the Bayakoa field was down to six, with As Time Goes By facing Warren's Showtime, second in her last start in the Betty Grable, and Moonlight d'Oro, a last-out second to Livingmybestlife in the Seashell at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif. After an even break, Harvest Moon showed her head in front first, with As Time Goes By stalking on the rail and Bye Bye Bertie on the outside in third. They stayed one-two-three around the first turn and into the backstretch, with Stellar Sound boldly moving to the lead in the last part of the backstretch. As Time Goes By went with her, these two entering the far turn with As Time Goes By on the lead.

Into the stretch at the Cypress, Calif., track, As Time Goes By was able to shake off Stellar Sound, who gave way to a surging Warren's Showtime on the outside. As Time Goes By did not let her challenger by, holding off Warren's Showtime to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Moonlight d'Oro was third and Stellar Sound fourth.

The final time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:42.97. Find this race's chart here.

As Time Goes By paid $4.20, $3.00, and $2.10. Warren's Showtime paid $4.40 and $2.80. Moonlight d'Oro paid $2.40.

“She was going well the entire way. I actually think (Warren's Showtime) got about a neck ahead of me in midstretch, but she regrouped and really dug in. She was very game,'' jockey Flavien Prat said after the Bayakoa.

“I love this filly. I love (wife) Jill No. 1 and this filly No. 2. My two favorite girls. They went so fast early, I was afraid of the runner-up (Warren's Showtime) who is a really good horse, and I was hoping (As Time Goes By) would have something left. I've always been high on her. I'm hoping she runs as a 5-year-old because I'd really like to win a Grade 1 with her and I know she can. (Owners Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith) said if she's doing well, they will keep her in training,'' trainer Bob Baffert said after the race.

Bred in Kentucky by Orpendale and Chelston, As Time Goes By is out of the Dehere mare Take Charge Lady, a multiple G1 stakes winner and dam of 2013 Travers Stakes winner Will Take Charge. The 4-year-old filly is owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith. With her win in the G3 Bayakoa, As Time Goes By has four wins in nine starts in 2021, for a lifetime record of five wins in 12 starts and career earnings of $535,600.

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Munnings’ Eda Shines in Starlet S.

Baoma Corporation's Eda became the latest Grade I winner for her red-hot sire Munnings with a gutsy score in the GI Starlet S. at Los Alamitos Saturday night. Speeding out of the outside stall in this six-horse affair, the even-money favorite was in front rounding the first turn, but was headed by 40-1 shot and fellow Bob Baffert pupil Benedict Canyon (Midnight Lute) through a :23.65 first quarter. Meanwhile, their Grade I-winning stablemate Grace Adler (Curlin) caboosed the field. Eda regained command as the half went in :48.96, but Benedict Canyon stuck with her best she could, weakening a bit at the three-eights pole, as did Grace Adler. Cairo Memories (Cairo Prince), who was making her first start on dirt, ranged up to challenge turning for home and Benedict Canyon determinedly tried to keep pace on Eda's outside. Tonito's (Blame) split the Baffert pair to throw her hat in the ring in early stretch, gaining a half-length advantage on Eda. However, Eda refused to be denied, forging her way clear late for a half-length success. Cairo Memories surged late for second with Tonito's holding third.

“She rated off well and you never known how they're going to do going long until you try,” Baffert said. “She relaxed well, but turning for home I wasn't sure. Juan [Hernandez] said she really dug in when she was challenged and didn't want to lose. Pretty exciting, but disappointed in Grace Adler [who finished last]. She got upset in the paddock and [jockey Flavien] Prat told Jimmy [Barnes] she just had no interest in running. [Eda] is getting better and better. Getting the Grade I for her is very important.”

“She relaxed nicely and we had a good position on the outside down the backside,” Hernandez said. “She responded when I asked her at the head of the stretch and when they came to her on the inside and outside she didn't want to let them by. She was very game.”

A $550,000 OBSMAR buy after breezing in :10 flat, Eda crossed the line a nose short in her Santa Anita unveiling June 19, but was promoted to first after the original winner was disqualified for interference. It was 13 1/2 lengths back to the third-place finisher that day. Missing by a head next out in the GII Sorrento S. at Del Mar Aug. 6, she was a well-beaten fifth to re-opposing stablemate Grace Adler in the Sept. 5 GI Del Mar Debutante S. Returning to winning ways in the Anoakia S. back in Arcadia Oct. 24, the bay defeated Tonito's by 4 1/4 lengths last time in Del Mar's Desi Arnaz S. Nov. 13.

Pedigree Notes:

Eda is the fifth Grade I winner for Munnings and third this year, along with Kimari and Jack Christopher. She is also the 23rd graded winner and one of 53 black-type scorers that Coolmore stallion. Eda is the 14th Grade I winner, 29th graded scorer and one of 80 black-type victors out of a daughter of Lemon Drop Kid. Nate McCauley purchased Eda's dam Show Me for $24,000 with the winner in utero at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton February Sale and resold her for $535,000 at the recent Fasig-Tipton November Sale back in foal to Munnings. A half to GSW Aegean (Northern Afleet) and SW Light Bringer (Northern Afleet), Show Me was bred to Bolt d'Oro for 2020, but did noot produce a foal and had a Karakontie (Jpn) filly Mar. 26 of this year.

Saturday, Los Alamitos
STARLET S.-GI, $300,500, Los Alamitos, 12-4, 2yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:44.51, ft.
1–EDA, 120, f, 2, by Munnings
1st Dam: Show Me, by Lemon Drop Kid
2nd Dam: Apt to Star, by Aptitude
3rd Dam: Sweeping, by End Sweep
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($240,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP; $550,000 2yo '21 OBSMAR). O-Baoma Corporation; B-Nathan McCauley (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Juan J Hernandez. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 6-4-1-0, $370,000. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+.
2–Cairo Memories, 120, f, 2, by Cairo Prince
1st Dam: Incarnate Memories, by Indian Charlie
2nd Dam: Witness Post, by Gone West
3rd Dam: Most Likely, by Fappiano
'TDN Rising Star' 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($50,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-David A Bernsen LLC & Schroeder Farms LLC; B-Brereton C Jones (KY); T-Robert B Hess Jr. $60,000.
3–Tonito's, 120, f, 2, by Blame
1st Dam: Cry Value, by Street Cry (Ire)
2nd Dam: Value Stream, by A.P. Indy
3rd Dam: Storm Beauty, by Storm Cat
1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($17,000 Ylg '20 FTKFEB; $28,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP; $90,000 2yo '21 OBSMAR). O-Anderson Farms, ERJ Racing LLC, Reddam Racing LLC, John D Fielding & Ryan Lloyd; B-Ghost Hollow Farm LLC (KY); T-Doug F O'Neill. $36,000.
Margins: HF, NK, 3. Odds: 1.10, 3.70, 19.70.
Also Ran: Desert Dawn, Benedict Canyon, Grace Adler. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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