Medina Spirit and two other horses trained by Bob Baffert have cleared pre-race drug tests that were a requirement of the horses being allowed to run this weekend at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, the owner of the track said on Friday.

The judge presiding over a case alleging a widespread conspiracy among trainers, veterinarians, and pharmacists to treat horses with banned substances forcefully dismissed a motion that she be recused from the case based on her past co-ownership of several mares, calling it “clearly meritless” while chastising the attorneys who filed it.

After the infamous Derby DQ two years ago, after the disruptions caused by the coronavirus last year, the sport of racing seemed set to enjoy a panic-free Triple Crown run this year.

How wrong that notion turned out to be.

What a fortnight ago appeared to be the pinnacle of Gary Young’s career now has the potential to be added to his lengthy list of crushing disappointments at Churchill Downs. But while the prospect of Medina Spirit being disqualified from the Kentucky Derby is a significant blow, it doesn’t detract from Young’s body of work, including plucking the colt at a 2-year-old sale for $35,000 and seeing him go on to win the Robert Lewis and finish second in the Santa Anita Derby before heading to the Kentucky Derby.

“It’s been an up-and-down week,” Young said earlier this week.

Following Sea, a 3-year-old trained by Bob Baffert, was withdrawn from consideration for Saturday’s Grade 3 Chick Lang Stakes at Pimlico and will be moved to trainer Todd Pletcher in New York, according to Ned Toffey, the general manager of Spendthrift Farm, which owns the colt.

Toffey further said that four 2-year-olds that were shipped to Baffert in California will be moved, most likely to trainer Richard Mandella, who is stabled at Santa Anita.

Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore will allow Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit to be entered in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes, according to Craig Robertson, the attorney for the horse’s trainer, Bob Baffert.

The attorney for Bob Baffert is prepared to file a motion for a temporary restraining order that would prohibit Pimlico Race Course from denying Baffert the ability to enter Medina Spirit in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes, the attorney, Craig Robertson, said Monday morning.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bob Baffert opened his press conference Sunday at Churchill Downs with perhaps a touch of gallows humor prior to divulging the bombshell news that Medina Spirit has tested positive for a regulated anti-inflammatory out of the Kentucky Derby.

“First let’s talk about the Preakness horses,” Baffert said.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Two-time Eclipse champion Monomoy Girl has been sidelined for an indefinite period with minor muscle strains and hamstring soreness, according to information sent via email Friday to the 6-year-old mare’s micro-owners in MyRacehorse.

What was expected is now official. In their first year of eligibility, trainer Todd Pletcher and Triple Crown winner American Pharoah on Wednesday were announced by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame as two of its newest inductees, reflective of their outsized impact on the sport.

The class of 2021 also includes trainer Jack Fisher, chosen by a steeplechase review committee that meets every four years.