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Medina Spirit Draws Post 3 in Preakness; 9-5 ML Choice

Medina Spirit (Protonico), who crossed the wire first in the May 1 GI Kentucky Derby, drew Post 3 at the post-position draw at Pimlico Race Course Tuesday afternoon. Trained by Bob Baffert, the colt was installed the 9-5 morning line favorite in the field of 10. Baffert is also represented by Concert Tour (Street Sense), who will break from gate 10 under Hall of Famer Mike Smith. The Gary and Mary West homebred took the GII San Vicente S. and GII Rebel S. earlier this season. Third choice on the morning line at 5-1, GIII Lecomte S. scorer Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow) will exit post 5 under Irad Ortiz Jr., while GIII Withers S. winner Risk Taking (Medglia d'Oro) drew the nine hole. The Chad Brown trainee will be accompanied by Jose Ortiz. Also conditioned by Brown, Crowded Trade (More Than Ready), third in the Apr. 3 GII Wood Memorial last out, was given a 10-1 chance on the morning line while drawing post four. Post position and odds for the other Preakness contenders are: Rombauer (Twirling Candy) (Post 6, 12-1), Unbridled Honor (Honor Code) (Post 8, 15-1), Keepmeinmind (Laoban) (Post 2, 15-1), France Go De Ina (Will Take Charge) (Post 7, 20-1) and Ram (American Pharoah) (Post 1, 30-1).

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Medina Spirit Draws Post Three, Installed As 9-5 Favorite For Preakness Stakes

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

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Baffert, Maryland Jockey Club Reach Agreement For Medina Spirit To Run In Preakness

Bob Baffert's attorney Craig Robertson announced Tuesday afternoon that an agreement has been reached for Kentucky Derby first place-finisher Medina Spirit, and his stablemate Concert Tour, to run in Saturday's Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

The following letter sets out the conditions of that agreement. It was sent by Robertson to Alan Rifkin, attorney for The Stronach Group, operator of Pimlico.

Dear Mr. Rifkin,

In the best interest of horse racing, and the integrity of the sport, Mr. Baffert consents to blood testing, monitoring and medical record review by the Maryland Jockey Club (“MJC”) on the horse Medina Spirit, and two other horses trained by Mr. Baffert. Medina Spirit and Concert Tour are presently entered in the Preakness Stakes and Beautiful Gift is presently entered in the Black Eyed Susan Stakes.

In addition to the testing and monitoring conducted by the Maryland Racing Commission (“MRC”) and/or in cooperation with the MRC, the horses were tested upon arrival at Pimlico and further blood samples will also be drawn today and as may be further determined by MJC from each of the horses. The MJC blood samples will be tested by a lab chosen by the MJC.

Consistent with the fair procedure process provided by The Stronach Group, Mr. Baffert consents to information regarding the results of the MRC and MJC tests, and other relevant medical and administrative records relating to the horses being disclosed to the MJC and Dr. Dionne Benson, The Stronach Group Chief Veterinary Officer.

If any of the three horses test positive for a banned substance, or at a level for a permitted therapeutic substance which is above the designated limit, or if reasonable conditions warrant after MJC's review of the medical or administrative records, Mr. Baffert, or MJC on his behalf, will scratch that horse from the upcoming race in which that horse is entered this weekend at Pimlico.

Mr. Baffert has given these consents to further the interests of horse racing and the public. MJC may provide this letter and consents herein to the MRC and Mr. Baffert consents to the public release of this letter and all testing results. Mr. Baffert represents that he has authority to grant the consents represented herein on behalf of the owners of the aforementioned horses.

The integrity of the sport is of the upmost importance to Mr. Baffert and by consenting to this testing regimen and monitoring he reaffirms his commitment and dedication to the sport. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely yours,

Craig Robertson

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Lukas: Though ‘Slow To Develop,’ Ram Deserves His Shot In Preakness Stakes

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas was back in very familiar territory Tuesday morning, sitting outside the Preakness Stakes Barn. After discussing his Preakness candidate Ram, who went to the track around 6:30 a.m., Lukas, 85, reminisced a bit about his 40-plus years of competing in the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown at Pimlico Race Course.

Christina Baker and William Mack's Ram will be Lukas' record 45th starter in the Preakness, marking the 30th time his trainer has had at least one runner. Lukas won with his very first Preakness starter, Codex in 1980, and has been to the winner's circle five other times, most recently with Oxbow in 2013.

Lukas said that Codex was assigned that last stall on the side of the barn facing away from the track and that his horses have been in that spot every year since.

Exercise rider Jade Cunningham was up on Ram for the trip to the track Tuesday morning.

“He just galloped a mile, but I let him catch his stride through the stretch, almost at a two-minute lick” Lukas said. “Just wanted to let him feel the track a little bit and see how he handled it.”

Lukas said he thought the son of American Pharoah got over the Pimlico surface just fine but without his usual enthusiasm.

“I didn't think he had a lot of energy. He's usually pretty tough to handle, but he was quiet and pretty mannered today,” Lukas said. “I didn't do a lot with him, but I'm glad I took him out there and let him stretch his legs.”

Ram was purchased for $375,000 as a yearling in 2019. He secured his first victory on April 16 in his eighth career start, a $50,000 maiden claimer at Oaklawn Park. He followed that success with an allowance race win in the first race of the Kentucky Derby (G1) program.

Lukas said he was not surprised that it took Ram some time to emerge as a capable race horse.

“He was slow to develop, physically and mentally,” said Lukas, noting that the transformation took place over the winter in Arkansas.

The allowance win prompted Lukas to consider the Preakness.

“He's gotten good lately,” Lukas said. “For that reason, I thought he deserved the chance; that plus I like to come here. I like this place. This is a fun race. Even if you don't win, it's enjoyable.”

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