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‘A great champion.’ Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit dies after Santa Anita workout.

Medina Spirit, a 3-year-old colt whose Kentucky Derby victory in May came under scrutiny because of a positive drug test, collapsed and died after a workout Monday at Santa Anita in Southern California.

Trainer Bob Baffert said in a statement that the horse suffered a heart attack. The colt had just completed 5 furlongs in his second workout since finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic a month ago at Del Mar.

“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.”

Santa Anita said in a statement that the track veterinary team took blood, hair and urine samples from Medina Spirit and sent them to the California Horse Racing Board. The colt will undergo a full necropsy, as required by the racing board, to try to determine the exact cause of death.

No timeline for completing the necropsy has been given.

Medina Spirit tested positive after the May 1 Derby for betamethasone, a legal medication that is not allowed on race day.

In the wake of Medina Spirit’s failed test, Baffert was suspended by Churchill Downs and barred from entering horses in the 2022 and 2023 Kentucky Derbys. He also was banned by the New York Racing Association from entering horses at its Belmont, Saratoga and Aqueduct tracks.

Last Friday, Robertson released a statement saying that tests done by a New York lab have “definitely confirmed” Medina Spirit tested positive for the steroid — not through an injection but due to an ointment used to treat a skin rash.

Medina Spirit (8) with John R. Velazquez up, wins the 147th Kentucky Derby on May 1, 2021, at Churchill Downs in Louisville. The 3-year-old colt died Monday after completing a workout at Santa Anita Park in California.
Medina Spirit (8) with John R. Velazquez up, wins the 147th Kentucky Derby on May 1, 2021, at Churchill Downs in Louisville. The 3-year-old colt died Monday after completing a workout at Santa Anita Park in California.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has been investigating the case, and has yet to hold a hearing that could possibly disqualify Medina Spirit.

In the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, Medina Spirit couldn’t muster the necessary late kick to threaten winner Knicks Go.

“I’m very proud of him. He ran a great race,” Baffert said last month. “To me, he’s the best 3-year-old. He showed it today. That’s what racing is all about, proving it on the racetrack. And he proved it today that he’s the real deal.”

Baffert was allowed to enter horses in the season-ending world championships, but the event’s money-leading trainer had to meet certain conditions, including stricter out-of-competition testing of his horses and greater security at his barn. He agreed to the extra scrutiny and was required to pay for it out of his own pocket.

Medina Spirit had five wins in 10 career starts and earnings of $3,545,200, according to Equibase. The colt was owned by Amr Zedan, who competes as Zedan Racing Stables.

At Churchill Downs, Medina Spirit gave Baffert his record-setting seventh Kentucky Derby victory after showing up in Louisville as a largely overlooked contender who was a 15-1 betting choice on the morning line and went off on race day at 12-1. Mandaloun finished second, a half-length behind Medina Spirit, and Hot Rod Charlie came in third.

“That little horse has got a heart — such a big heart,” Baffert said immediately after the race.

Baffert revealed Medina Spirit’s positive drug test eight days later.

Trainer Bob Baffert checks in with Medina Spirit outside his barn at Churchill Downs the morning after winning the Kentucky Derby last May. Eight days after the race, Baffert announced the colt failed his postrace drug test.
Trainer Bob Baffert checks in with Medina Spirit outside his barn at Churchill Downs the morning after winning the Kentucky Derby last May. Eight days after the race, Baffert announced the colt failed his postrace drug test.

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

Medina Spirit is the youngest first-place Derby finisher to die since 1984, when Swale died suddenly after a workout eight days after winning the Belmont Stakes. Barbaro, the 2006 Derby winner, died in January 2007, eight months after suffering an injury shortly after the start of the 2006 Preakness. Twenty-one winners of the Derby survive, with the oldest being 1994 winner Go for Gin, who turned 30 this year and stands at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

The Washington Post contributed to this article.