So I guess cheating is just the norm now......Kentucky Derby winner

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

Tweet text:
Darren Rovell
@darrenrovell
JUST IN: Derby winner Medina Spirit has tested positive for corticosteroid Betamethasone. Only horse in race to fail test, I’m told.

Tests after Derby take a week. Bettors who bet on Medina Spirit keep their money. Owner, trainer, jockey must return winnings if lose appeal.
6:38 AM · May 9, 2021

[Hugin]

1. !

[hlthe2b]

2. Corticosteroids are NOT anabolic steroids. I'd hold off on assuming this is disqualifying...

It is not clear that it is. I am going to wait for the experts to weigh in.

Baffert's statement is as follows:

The current reporting on Gamine is inaccurate and needs to be cleared up. First, Betamethasone is a legal, commonly used anti-inflammatory medication. It is not a “banned substance.” Second, the medication was administered to Gamine on Aug. 17 by her veterinarian and on the veterinarian's recommendation. Importantly, the veterinarian followed established medical and regulatory guidelines in administering the medication. The withdrawal guidelines published by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission recommend that the medication not be given within 14 days of a race. In this instance, as an additional layer of protection, Gamine's veterinarian last treated her with betamethasone 18 days before the Oaks.

Kentucky changed some drug guidelines last year, but mainly over the diuretic, Lasix.

While there is a withdrawal period for NSAIDs and intraarticular (joint) corticosteroids, it is possible that this positive test reflects higher than expected levels for an injection that was given prior to the restricted time period.

[LisaL]

3. It's a banned substance.

"Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit tested positive for the banned corticosteroid betamethasone after the race, trainer Bob Baffert revealed Sunday."

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10002429-bafferts-medina-spirit-tests-positive-for-illegal-drug-after-2021-kentucky-derby-win

[hlthe2b]

4. I had not included the issue of residual drugs administered within the approved period.

Please reread my edited prior post.

[Green Line]

20. It's not banned

10 picograms are allowed, he tested at 21.

[Nevilledog]

6. Looks like he was over limit....

https://www.bbc.com/sport/horse-racing/57049450

Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, who provided trainer Bob Baffert with a record seventh win in the race, has failed a drugs test.

Baffert said he was "shocked" after the horse tested above the limit for betamethasone and insisted he had never administered the substance.

"I got the biggest gut punch in racing for something I didn't do," he said.

Medina Spirit, ridden by John Velazquez, won America's most famous race at Churchill Downs on 1 May.

[hlthe2b]

8. It still may reflect a positive test on residual drug legally administered at the dose & time limit

PRIOR to the race. If it was intaarticular, it would have to be veterinarian-administered, NOT Baffert. the trainer.

[Hugin]

12. "... insisted he had never administered the substance."

Well, I guess that is 'technically true'.

It was the Vet who administered it to the horse.

[Coventina]

5. Horse racing is cruel and barbaric. n/t

[cilla4progress]

9. True

We race 2 year olds here. Their joints aren't even fully closed yet!

Many of these horses are destroyed in the process. Imagine their pain - physical and mental!

I.believe in UK they wait till they are 4?

[TexasBushwhacker]

11. When I read about how many horses have to be

euthanized on the track, I was just appalled.

[Xavier Breath]

27. That's the real takeaway here. n/t

[Raine]

31. Exactly, dozens have ended up dead at Santa Anita track here in California

its DISGRACEFUL! Horse racing is an ugly cruel "sport" , I HATE it!

[EYESORE 9001]

7. I look forward to a day when horse racing is finished for good

Doping of these unfortunate animals is only the tip of the iceberg.

[Jirel]

10. Unpopular opinion: I don't care.

In the case of humans, I have no problem with people using whatever enhancement they want. If it kills them? Their choice. If it determines winners? So what? It’s entertainment. Let the chips fall where they may. There is no reason to consider it cheating.

In the case of animals, they are potentially being endangered against their will. In that case, fine - bettors can keep their money, but if a horse or other animal is put at risk through drugs or other treatments, then the owners and vets involved should get a lifetime ban from the sport. Problem solved. Same, if enhancement is done on minors like elite gymnasts competing in their teens. But adult humans? Whatever.

[Johonny]

13. He would have cheated the other millionaires racing horses in the race

Rich men can screw poor men all they want, but they can't screw other rich men. Fact of life.

[RegularJam]

14. I have personally struggled formulating an opinion...

With respect to the context of your first paragraph. I currently back aggressive testing because of the direct relationship between sports/athletes and the youth. It’s actually a pretty unique relationship in society.

My approach does limit the potential caliber of each sport.

[Nevilledog]

16. Ummmm......what about Justify?

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/horses/horse-racing/2019/09/12/bob-bafferts-attorney-denounces-justify-drug-allegation/2296335001/


Trainer Bob Baffert went on offense Thursday and said he’s never intentionally administered the banned substance scopolamine to any of his horses, including 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify who failed a drug test just weeks before going on to win the Kentucky Derby.

“Justify is one of the finest horses I’ve had the privilege of training and by any standard is one of the greatest of all time,” Baffert said. “I am proud to stand by his record and my own.”

According to a report from the New York Times, Justify tested positive for scopolamine after winning the Santa Anita Derby on April 7, 2018. Had Justify not finished among the top two finishers in the Santa Anita Derby, he would not have qualified for the Kentucky Derby. A failed drug test would have meant disqualification from the Santa Anita Derby and no entry into the Kentucky Derby.

Churchill Downs Racetrack President Kevin Flanery issued a statement Thursday afternoon saying Justify’s drug tests before and after the Kentucky Derby came back clean.

“Until media reports surfaced Wednesday night, neither Churchill Downs nor the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission had knowledge of any potential positive tests that may have emanated from California in advance of the 2018 Kentucky Derby,” Flanery said. “We do know that all pre- and post-race tests for 2018 Kentucky Derby participants came back clean, including Justify.

*snip*

[Green Line]

17. This is an article from when it first happened

It turns out that horses from 4 different trainers also tested positive for scopolamine. They all got their hay from the same supplier, it appears it contained jimson weed which is a source for scopolamine.

[Bayard]

21. Wow

Had not heard that. Jimson weed is poisonous to horses.

[a kennedy]

35. Baffert says it was a groom who urinated on hay the horse then ate.......

Baffert says one of the problems from the test was due to a groom urinating in the stall after taking cough medicine, followed by Medina Spirit eating some of that hay. Grooms are crucial to teams and care and exercise the horses.

And he was on faux and feins calling it “cancel culture”. Yes. Baffert plans on running Medina Spirit in the Preakness and says the the horse is prepared to run. He also said in an interview with Fox News on Monday that this entire situation is his horse being a victim of "cancel culture."

https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/preakness-stakes-2021-will-medina-spirit-be-able-to-run-in-the-race-following-failed-drug-test/

[malaise]

19. I hope he's finally banned for life

That is all

[Green Line]

18. I'm also a big Baffert fan

He knows he's under the biggest of microscopes, there isn't any way he would do this in the Derby. I also will wait for the rest of the story.

It isn't a banned substance, 10 picograms are allowed Medina Spirit's sample had 21 picograms. I watched his interview today, I believe him. Something is certainly fishy here and I don't believe it's Baffert.

[liberal_mama]

22. Isn't this like the 20th time Baffert has been caught drugging his horses?

I had the winner and the Derby exacta because Medina Spirit was Baffert's only entry and I knew there would probably be some funny business going on. It's so bad now that you actually have to factor in that Baffert most likely gave his horse a performance enhancing drug when you handicap a race. I've been a horse racing fan for 40 years. I read a book by another trainer who says they can't compete fairly because certain trainers cheat constantly.

[demtenjeep]

28. agree

something is wrong and it isn't Baffert

[Bayard]

23. Baffert would not be this forthcoming if he had anything to do with it

The drug in question is a corticosteroid that is injected directly into a joint, usually for arthritis. A vet would have to do it, and under very sterile conditions. Generally speaking, the horse should not work for several days after, and it actually takes awhile to see any benefit. I can't believe Baffert would have endangered a potential Derby winner this way.

I will be very interested in the second round of tests and investigation.

[Duppers]

32. Thanks for posting this info

And precaution. As a long-time Kentucky horse owner, you would know.

[RegularJam]

34. I believe the injection is question was given weeks before the race.

By a vet.

[Mr.Bill]

30. In the 80s, I had an uncle who owned a few racehorses.

He flat-out told me "These horses are drugged out of their minds." His trainer was his son-in-law, who was also a pharmacist. That tells you all you need to know.

Can't say if it's still like this today or not. My uncle died a long time ago.

[RegularJam]

33. Multi-Million dollar consequences are the opposite of normalization. nt