Kentucky Derby first-place finisher Medina Spirit has officially been ruled out of the Grade 1 Haskell on July 17 at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, NJ, according to the Asbury Park Press. Trainer Bob Baffert confirmed the news to racing secretary John Heims over the holiday weekend.
“Medina Spirit's not coming,” Heims told the APP. “The race just comes up too quickly.”
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 Asbury Park Press.
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