SANTA ANITA, Calif. — Medina Spirit, the horse who finished first in the 2021 Kentucky Derby died Monday after collapsing during a workout at Santa Anita, the Washington Post reported.
The 3-year-old colt was had been at the center of controversy since testing positive for medication after winning the 2021 Kentucky Derby. The drug, betamethasone, is an anti-inflammatory and is legal for horses to use, but not on race days. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has not charged Medina Spirit’s trainer, Bob Baffert, or overturned the win, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Sources close to Baffert told WLKY the horse may have died of a heart attack.
JUST IN | Statement from Bob Baffert regarding Derby Winner Medina Spirit passing away after a workout: pic.twitter.com/OPDx8yS81N
— Grace Hayba (@GraceHayba) December 6, 2021
Medina Sprit had five wins in 10 career starts and earnings of $3,545,200, WAGM reported.
Monday afternoon, PETA posted on Twitter, calling for investigation into what caused Medina Spirit’s death.
Medina Spirit, who tested positive for drugs after the 2021 KY Derby, suddenly died today.
— PETA (@peta) December 6, 2021
His trainer Bob Baffert once had 7 mysterious horse deaths in a 16-month period.
PETA urges officials to bar Baffert pending the outcome of an investigation! pic.twitter.com/ssy67FEEW5
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