A split-sample test done on 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, who showed excess levels of a corticosteroid in his post-race test, came back at levels confirming the initial test results.

The post-race drug test on Medina Spirit showed the presence of betamethasone, typically used as an anti-inflammatory agent, at levels of 21 picograms per milliliter. Betamethasone is not a prohibited substance by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC), however it restricts administration of said drug within two weeks of a race. When news initially broke of the positive test, trainer Bob Baffert spoke to press with zero knowledge of any drugs being administered before later releasing a statement that he learned Medina Spirit had been treated with Otomax, a topical ointment used to treat fungal infections, for a lesion on the horse's hip.

In a report by The New York Times, Medina Spirit's split sample test showed heightened levels of betamethasone — a result confirmed by Baffert's lawyer W. Craig Robertson III in a statement issued on Wednesday (June 2). Robertson's statement appears below:

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.

Clark Brewster, a lawyer representing Medina Spirit's owner Amr Zedan, said to The Times that the test was conducted at the University of California, Davis, but that the test was not done with a urine or blood sample.

"[That] could prove the trace positive came from an inadvertent and materially inconsequential contamination sourced from a topical ointment used to treat Medina Spirit for a skin lesion on his hip," Brewster said in a text message. Brewster said that the KHRC agreed to send the original blood and urine tests to another accredited laboratory for confirmation on whether the betamethasone present was the result of a topical ointment.

Late Wednesday afternoon, Churchill Downs released a statement saying that the track will ban Baffert from entering horses effective immediately through the 2023 spring meeting. The Churchill statement appears in its entirety below:

Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI”) announced today (June 2) the suspension of Bob Baffert for two years effective immediately through the conclusion of the 2023 Spring Meet at Churchill Downs Racetrack. The suspension prohibits Baffert, or any trainer directly or indirectly employed by Bob Baffert Racing Stables, from entering horses in races or applying for stall occupancy at all CDI-owned racetracks. This decision follows the confirmation by attorneys representing Bob Baffert of the presence of betamethasone, a prohibited race-day substance, in Medina Spirit’s bloodstream on the day of the 147thrunning of the Kentucky Derby in violation of the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s equine medication protocols and CDI’s terms and conditions for racing.

“CDI has consistently advocated for strict medication regulations so that we can confidently ensure that horses are fit to race and the races are conducted fairly,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of CDI. “Reckless practices and substance violations that jeopardize the safety of our equine and human athletes or compromise the integrity of our sport are not acceptable and as a company we must take measures to demonstrate that they will not be tolerated. Mr. Baffert’s record of testing failures threatens public confidence in thoroughbred racing and the reputation of the Kentucky Derby. Given these repeated failures over the last year, including the increasingly extraordinary explanations, we firmly believe that asserting our rights to impose these measures is our duty and responsibility.”

CDI reserves the right to extend Baffert’s suspension if there are additional violations in any racing jurisdiction. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (“KHRC”) has the sole authority to disqualify Medina Spirt as the winner of Kentucky Derby 147. It is the understanding of CDI that the KHRC is pursuing the completion of its investigation of this matter in accordance with its rules and regulations.