A necropsy carried out on 2021 Kentucky Derby Winner Medina Spirit confirmed no definitive explanation for dying, in accordance with outcomes launched by the California Horse Racing Board on Friday. The colt collapsed and died after a exercise on December 6 at Santa Anita.
Coach Bob Baffert mentioned the colt suffered a coronary heart assault. Medina Spirit had simply accomplished 5 furlongs in his second exercise since ending second within the Breeders’ Cup Traditional in November.
The necropsy report mentioned Medina Spirit’s swollen lungs and foam in his windpipe, in addition to enlarged spleen and congestions and gentle hemorrhages in different tissues “are frequent in horses dying all of a sudden, and are appropriate with, however not particular for a cardiac explanation for dying. “
Medina Spirit’s Kentucky Derby victory final Might got here underneath scrutiny after he examined optimistic for betamethasone, a authorized remedy that’s not allowed on race day in Kentucky.
Because of this, Baffert was suspended by Churchill Downs and barred from coming into horses within the 2022 and 2023 Kentucky Derbies. He was additionally banned by the New York Racing Affiliation from coming into horses at its Belmont, Saratoga and Aqueduct tracks.
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The necropsy on Medina Spirit discovered the anti-ulcer remedy omeprazole and the diuretic Lasix in blood and urine samples according to the remedy report filed with CHRB by the attending veterinarian.
The report mentioned no different medicine, heavy metals or toxicants have been detected.
The necropsy included gross examination of the physique and inner organs, and specimen assortment for microscopic examination, toxicology, drug testing, and genetic testing, with specimens additionally saved for attainable future testing.
After the examination was accomplished, Medina Spirit was cremated, the CHRB mentioned.
In the course of the necropsy, the horse was examined for apparent causes of dying and visually obvious abnormalities. Tissue samples have been collected from the center, lungs, liver, spleen, kidney, abdomen, intestines, muscle, mind, spinal twine, testicles, and different glands, and have been examined underneath the microscope for proof of abnormalities.
Liver tissue was examined for heavy metals, anticoagulants, pesticides, environmental contaminants, medicine, and different merchandise. Blood and urine samples have been screened for the presence of tons of of gear, each authorized drugs and prohibited medicine, together with erythropoietin (EPO), clenbuterol, and betamethasone.
Subsequent comes a required assessment of the necropsy report, which will probably be achieved by Dr. Alina Vale. A security steward and a member of the board of stewards will even take part within the assessment.
Any potential rule violations uncovered within the assessment course of will probably be investigated by the CHRB and would lead to a criticism and attainable disciplinary motion.
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