Medina Spirit possible for Haskell Invitational in July
ARCADIA, Calif. - Medina Spirit has resumed galloping at Santa Anita for a summertime comeback following a controversial win in the Kentucky Derby on May 1 and a third-place finish in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 15.
Medina Spirit’s win in the Kentucky Derby has been the focus of international news after the presence of the therapeutic medication betamethasone was found in a post-race test. Medina Spirit could be disqualified from the Kentucky Derby win, pending a hearing.
Trained by Bob Baffert, Medina Spirit was given a few quiet weeks after the Preakness Stakes and resumed jogging last week. Medina Spirit had his first day of galloping on Sunday, Baffert said.
Baffert has not mentioned a summertime race goal for Medina Spirit, but the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 17 is likely to part of discussions with owner Amr Zedan. The $1 million Haskell is run at 1 1/8 miles.
Baffert has won the Haskell a record nine times, including last year with Authentic, the eventual Horse of the Year.
Baffert has limited options at other venues since Churchill Downs, Inc., and the New York Racing Association have temporarily banned him from having starters at their tracks. The tracks made the announcements following Medina Spirit’s recent positive.
The decision would affect the Hall of Fame trainer’s plans for any runners at the prestigious Saratoga meeting in upstate New York.
Baffert has won the Grade 1 Travers Stakes for 3-year-olds at Saratoga three times, most recently with West Coast in 2017.