Medina Spirit’s failed test due to ointment

Urine testing of Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit has shown that a steroid present in the colt’s system came from a topical ointment and not an injection, according to an attorney for trainer Bob Baffert.

Medina Spirit tested positive for the steroid betamethasone after winning the May 1 race and is facing disqualification. Baffert had said an ointment used to treat the colt for a skin condition daily up until the Derby included the substance. Betamethasone is a legal substance, but it is not allowed on race day in Kentucky, Maryland and New York, home to the Triple Crown series.

Craig Robertson, Baffert’s attorney, said on Friday testing of the split sample was completed by a lab in New York.

“It has now been scientifically proven that what Bob Baffert said from the beginning was true — Medina Spirit was never injected with betamethasone and the findings following the Kentucky Derby were solely the result of the horse being treated for a skin condition by way of a topical ointment — all at the direction of Medina Spirit’s veterinarian,” Robertson said in an email.

Golf: Bryson Dechambeau made five birdies in a six-hole stretch around the turn at Albany in the Bahamas and overcame a late double bogey from a wild drive for an 8-under 64. That was good for a one-shot lead going into the weekend at the Hero World Challenge.

NFL: Giants quarterback Daniel Jones will not play against the Dolphins on Sunday because of a neck injury. Mike Glennon will get his firsts start with the Giants.

Skiing: Reigning Olympic champion Sofia Goggia won the first downhill race of the women’s World Cup season by a whopping margin of nearly 1

½ seconds Friday, with Breezy Johnson second and her American teammate Mikaela Shiffrin back in 26th.