Antelope Valley Press

Medina Spirit could lose Derby victory

- By GARY B. GRAVES

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Medina Spirit’s victory in the Kentucky Derby is in serious jeopardy because of a failed postrace drug test, one that led Churchill Downs to suspend Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert on Sunday in the latest scandal to plague the sport.

Baffert denied all wrongdoing and promised to be fully transparen­t with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission during its investigat­ion. Baffert’s barn received word Saturday that Medina Spirit had tested positive for an excessive amount of the steroid betamethas­one, which is sometimes used to treat pain and inflammati­on in horses.

Medina Spirit’s win over Mandaloun in the Derby stands — for now.

“To be clear, if the findings are upheld, Medina Spirit’s results in the Kentucky Derby will be invalidate­d and Mandaloun will be declared the winner,” Churchill Downs officials said in a statement shortly after Baffert held a hastily planned morning news conference outside his barn to announce and respond to the allegation­s.

The track said failure to comply with the rules and medication protocols jeopardize­s

ROSAMOND — The Paraclete girls basketball team defeated Rosamond 5624 on Saturday at Rosamond High.

Paraclete junior Yitzel Serna led the

Spirits with 17 points, two assists and two steals, freshman Layla Davis added 13 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks and sophomore Hunter Hudson added 11 points, five assists, five rebounds and two blocks.

Paraclete improves to 3-4 and will host Crossroads on Tuesday in a Gold Coast League game. The Spirits are 0-2 in league.

 ?? Associated Press ?? HOT WATER
John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun and Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 1. Medina Spirit failed a postrace drug test.
Associated Press HOT WATER John Velazquez riding Medina Spirit leads Florent Geroux on Mandaloun and Flavien Prat riding Hot Rod Charlie to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 1. Medina Spirit failed a postrace drug test.

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