Bob Baffert’s attorney released the following statement confirming the split sample test on Medina Spirit has come back positive.
“In response to the inquiries, this will acknowledge that the Medina Spirit split sample confirmed the finding of betamethasone at 25 picograms. There is other testing that is being conducted, including DNA testing. We expect this additional testing to confirm that the presence of the betamethasone was from the topical ointment Otomax and not an injection. At the end of the day, we anticipate this case to be about the treatment of Medina Spirit’s skin rash with Otomax. We will have nothing further to say until the additional testing is complete.”
I don’t think anyone is really surprised the split sample came back positive. Bob Baffert had already informed the media and Churchill Downs the horse was treated with Otomax which contains betamethasone for a skin rash prior to the Kentucky Derby. Baffert had already been prohibited from running horses at Churchill Downs and NYRA pending the split sample results. Churchill Downs had already said Mandaloun, the Brad Cox trained runner up in the Kentucky Derby would be declared the official winner if the split sample came back positive.
Although there have been lawsuits filed against Bob Baffert and one includes Churchill Downs as a defendant, the rules in Kentucky state the mutual pay-offs are not affected by after the fact disqualifications most often because of positive drug tests. It will be interesting to see if the Federal Courts step in or punts on this issue.
Attorney Bill Gotimer weighed in with his opinion on the lawsuits before the split sample test was completed:
Photo: Medina Spirit, Kentucky Derby, Coady Photography
