Medina Spirit picks up pace in five-furlong workout

Medina Spirit, who tested positive for a medication banned on raceday after winning the Kentucky Derby on May 1, is settling into a pattern of workouts at Del Mar, and recording fast times.

Thursday, Medina Spirit worked five furlongs in 59.60 seconds, the quickest of 34 works at the distance. On July 29, Medina Spirit worked a half-mile in 49.80 seconds, his first workout since mid-June.

Medina Spirit has not raced since a third-place finish in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 15. Trainer Bob Baffert has not stated a race goal for Medina Spirit, and did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment on Friday morning.

One possible race for him is the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby, a $1 million race at 1 1/8 miles at Parx Racing on Sept. 25. Baffert has won the Pennsylvania Derby three times.

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Owned by Amr Zedan, Medina Spirit has won 3 of 7 starts, but the win in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs was marred by a positive for the anti-inflammatory betamethasone.