by Terri Bey
This is one of the saddest blogs that I ever had to write. At around 7:45am, PST, 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit had finished a 5-furlong workout. The 3YO had then stopped and collapsed and died. The track vets rushed to the scene, but sadly the horse had passed away. This is a sad ending to a tough, gritty thoroughbred, whose win in the Kentucky Derby is under scrutiny because of a positive test for Betamethasone, a legal medication banned on race day, which was an ingredient in a cream called Otamax used to treat a rash located on the horse’s right hip area. Medina Spirt was owned by Zedan Racing Stables and was trained by the legendary Bob Baffert, who said in a statement to the Associated Press, “My entire barn is devastated by this news. Medina Spirit was a great champion, a member of our family who was loved by all, and we are deeply mourning his loss. I will always cherish the proud and personal memories of Medina Spirit and his tremendous spirit.”
Medina Spirit was foaled in Florida by Gail Rice. The horse’s sire was Prontonico (Giant’s Causeway) and his dam was Mongolian Changa (Brilliant Speed). Medina Spirit sold for $1,000 at the Ocala Breeder’s Sale in January of 2019 and was then sold to Zedan Racing Stables for $35,000 at the Ocala July Two-Year-Old Sale. The 2YO was put into training under Bob Baffert where he won his debut at Los Alomitos in a maiden special weight race of over 5 1/2 furlongs.
Medina’s very eventful 3YO season included finishing second by 3/4th of a length to fellow Bob Baffert trainee at the time Life Is Good in the Sham Stakes, and winning the Robert B. Lewis Stakes in a blanket finish, and holding off both Roman Centurian and Hot Rod Charlie. It was in this race where Medina Spirit showed his grit and toughness by not allowing either challenger to get past him. That aspect grabbed my attention. Medina Spirit had throat surgery after a distant second to Life Is Good in the San Felipe Derby. In his last Kentucky Derby prep, the Santa Anita Derby, he finished second to a horse named Rock Your World, whom I liked, as Rock Your World was out of an Empire Maker mare, as was another horse going to the Derby named Mandaloun, but more on that later.
Medina Spirit was surprisingly the only horse that Bob Baffert had for the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Life Is Good was sidelined due to injury and a couple of other possibilities didn’t pan out. Medina Spirit was 16-1, again, very unusual for a Baffert-trained horse, but understandable as the favorite was the 2YO champion and then-undefeated Essential Quality, trained by Brad Cox. I was at the Bluegrass Stakes when Essential Quality won and while it wasn’t his best race, he definitely deserved to be the favorite. Cox also trained Mandaloun. Would it be Cox’ turn?
Well, as everyone knows by now, Medina Spirit broke from the gate, grabbed the lead, and went gate to wire. Entering the far turn, Mandaloun pulled alongside Medina Spirit and gave it his all, but Medina Spirit showed his toughness and competitive spirit, pun intended, and did not let Mandaloun get by and gave Bob Baffert his 7th Kentucky Derby win and jockey John Velasquez his 4th Kentucky Derby win, at least for now. That is all I will say. Medina Spirit finished 3rd in the Preakness to Rombauer. After a break, he won the Shared Belief Stakes for 3YOs and after being scratched from the Pennsylvania Derby because Bob Baffert did not like his outside post, Medina Spirit defeated his elders in the Awesome Again Stakes. In what would be the colt’s final race, Medina Spirit finished second to Knicks Go in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Word has it that Baffert was pointing Medina Spirit to the Saudi Cup prior to the horse’s tragic death.
There have been many horses who have since passed away, who I have loved and admired. They are Triple Crown race winners such as Strike the Gold, Empire Maker, and Thunder Gulch. They are multiple grade 1 winners such as the recently deceased Albert the Great. Of course, there is my all-time favorite Alydar. Each passing stings. However, the passing of Medina Spirit stings so much. I have been so upset since I heard the news this morning. It hurts so much because this poor horse has been engulfed in a controversy that isn’t his fault. It hurts because after the Triple Crown races were over, he showed his toughness and showed he was a winner. However, it really sucked reading hateful comments about this horse from people, many of whom didn’t know squat about the sport, and from comments from people in the sport or at least knowledgeable about this sport, who should have known better, all because they don’t like his connections. Medina Spirit deserved better from everyone.
I end this by saying, Medina Spirit, you gave racing a hell of a ride. You exuded physical and mental toughness every time you walked into that starting gate and it sprung open. You didn’t let any horse get by you if you could help it. You kept fighting until the end. Regardless of what happens, you will always be the Kentucky Derby Champion to me. I love you, Medina Spirit. We will meet again.
Feedback is welcome. Thanks for reading.
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Thank you! I loved this horse ever since he finished so close to Lif Is Good. He is dearly missed!
Thank you. He was an awesome horse. He had gone through so much. Poor guy. THank you for reading and commenting and I apologize for the late response.