A necropsy report released Friday found no conclusive cause for the December death of disputed 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit.
The California Horse Racing Board released the findings of the examination conducted after the 3-year-old colt died following a morning workout on Dec. 6 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.
“A definitive cause of death was not established despite extensive testing,” read the report.
The swollen lungs, foam in the trachea, enlarged spleen and other issues discovered during the postmortem exam “are common in horses dying suddenly, and are compatible with, but not specific for a cardiac cause of death.”
The only drugs detected in Medina Spirit’s system were an anti-ulcer medication and a diuretic, both consistent with the medication report filed with the CHRB by the attending veterinarian.
“We were hopeful that the necropsy would have revealed more information about the pathophysiology that led to Medina Spirit’s sudden cardiac arrest, but it appears that his tragic death was an act of God and was not preventable. As was expected, the necropsy results were compatible with sudden cardiac death and were consistent with reports of similar events of sudden death during workouts. Investigators determined that a possible defect in Medina Spirit’s cardiac conduction system, which regulates electrical activity in the heart, is a possible explanation. Extensive toxicological testing on multiple samples found no unexpected substances and nothing to suggest that Medina Spirit’s cardiac arrest was caused by the use of medications.”
Clark Brewster, attorney for racehorse trainer Bob Baffert, via email to Sportsnaut
Medina Spirit was cremated following completion of the exam. The necropsy report will next undergo a required review to be conducted by Dr. Alina Vale, who is an official veterinarian of the California Horse Racing Board.
The Bob Baffert-trained horse’s victory in the first leg of the 2021 Triple Crown came under dispute after Medina Spirit tested positive for the steroid betamethasone following the May 1 race. The steroid helps alleviate discomfort in the joints of horses.
Baffert admitted to the use of betamethasone, but said it was used as an anti-fungal medication for dermatitis just once leading up to the Kentucky Derby. Betamethasone is a legal substance, however it is not allowed on race day in Kentucky.
Medina Spirit won five races. His last race was on Nov. 6 at Del Mar, where he finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
–Field Level Media