Derby winner fancied at Preakness as ointment blamed

WASHINGTON: Embatled trainer Bob Baffert cut a deal on Tuesday allowing doping-hit Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit into the Preakness ater admiting the horse’s anti-fungal ointment had contained a banned steroid.

US flat racing’s Triple Crown remained mired in scandal even as the draw for Saturday’s Preakness, the second leg of the treble, was unveiled with Medina Spirit installed as the 9-5 favorite by oddsmakers.

Baffert, banned from entering horses at Churchill Downs until a Kentucky horse Racing Commission investigation is complete, was only allowed to enter Medina Spirit and Concert Tour, the second choice at 5-2, at Pimilico ater agreeing to tougher than normal drug testing and ensuring all results are made public.

Medina Spirit returned a positive race-day Derby doping test on May 1 for the steroid betamethasone, which is banned within two weeks of a race.

Should a second test from the sample also be positive, the colt would be disqualified and runner-up Mandaloun awarded the victory.

“We are well aware of the public outcry and calls for action that have been the natural outcome of a medication positive in one of the most iconic races in our sport and we share the disappointment and concern,” Pimlico track owner 1/st Racing chief executive officer Craig Fravel said.

Baffert brought the horse to the Baltimore racetrack but was not assured a Preakness entry until he agreed to terms with the Maryland Jockey Club and track owner 1/st Racing.

Baffert agreed to testing and monitoring beyond that conducted by the Maryland Racing Commission “to ensure the fairness and integrity of... horses trained by Baffert,” a Preakness statement said.

Baffert’s Preakness entrants Medina Spirit and Concert Tour will have all test results and relevant medical records made public. If a Baffert horse tests positive or has a higher than allowable level of a permited theraputic substance, Baffert will withdraw the horse in question.

In Tuesday’s draw, Medina Spirit with jockey John Velazquez aboard was assigned the third gate from the rail in the field of 10 while Concert Tour, was drawn into the far outside gate and given the second-best odds at 5-2.

The Triple Crown concludes with next month’s Belmont Stakes in New York.