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Bob Baffert Is Under Scrutiny Once Again After Kentucky Derby Winner Medina Spirit Dies Suddenly

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Medina Spirit Dies Bob Baffert Twitter Internet Reacts

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  • 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit suddenly died after a training session on Monday.
  • The colt marked the 75th horse that has died under Bob Baffert’s care and people are calling for him to retire.
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Seven months after winning the Kentucky Derby, Medina Spirit collapsed and died after a workout on Monday. The three-year-old colt suffered a heart attack while training in Santa Anita, and his trainer Bob Baffert has fallen under scrutiny once again.

Baffert, who is the most successful trainer in horse racing history, is extremely controversial. He has had at least 31 of his horses fail drug tests fail drug tests in the past.

That includes Medina Spirit in May. Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone after the Derby, which is a legal medication that is not allowed on race days.

Baffert’s attorney Craig Robertson released a statement last Friday that said tests done by a New York lab “definitely confirmed” that Medina Spirit tested positive for the steroid. However, he said that the colt tested positive not through an injection, but due to an ointment for a skin rash.

Now, three days later, Medina Spirt has tragically passed.

The colt had just completed five furlongs in his second workout since finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar a month ago.

“My entire barn is devastated by this news,” Baffert said. “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.”

As required by the California Horse Racing Board, the colt will undergo a full necropsy. It will determine the cause of death.

Medina Spirit had five wins in 10 career starts and accumulated $3,545,200 in career earnings. Amr Zedan was his owner, who competes as Zedan Racing Stables.

“Our most sincere condolences go out to Mr. Amr Zedan and the entire Zedan Racing Stables family,” Baffert said in his statement. “They are in our thoughts and prayers as we go through this difficult time.”

According to the Washington Post, this is the 75th horse that has died in Baffert’s care. He is the most controversial personality in the sport, but also the greatest and most successful.

In response to the Medina Spirit news, the internet called for Baffert to retire from the sport: