With Medina Spirit disqualified and Bob Baffert suspended, here’s what happens next

When Dancer’s Image failed a drug test following his victory in the 1968 Kentucky Derby, it took nearly four years of legal maneuvers and appeals before the Kentucky Court of Appeals decided the case in April of 1972 and ultimately made Forward Pass the winner.

It remains to be seen whether Monday’s disqualification of Medina Spirit as the 2021 Kentucky Derby winner is the final decision on the matter, but history tells us that’s not likely.

More than nine months after last year’s Kentucky Derby, stewards disqualified Medina Spirit after the horse tested positive for betamethasone, an otherwise legal corticosteroid that is not legal if found in a horse’s blood on race day.

Medina Spirit news: What does 21 picograms of betamethasone mean? Doctor discusses Medina Spirit drug test

Along with the disqualification of Medina Spirit, stewards imposed a 90-day suspension and $7,500 fine on trainer Bob Baffert.

What's next for Bob Baffert?

Clark Brewster, an attorney for Baffert, said he's already filed an appeal with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. Baffert may eventually take his case to Franklin Circuit Court, which could delay final resolution of the race for months or even years.

"We will appeal, and we will prevail when the facts and rules are presented to detached, neutral decision-makers," Brewster said.

In June, Churchill Downs announced a two-year suspension of Baffert, including the 2022 and 2023 Kentucky Derbys. The suspension is scheduled to run through the 2023 Spring Meet and prevents Baffert or any trainer directly or indirectly employed by Bob Baffert Racing Stables from entering horses or applying for stall occupancy at all Churchill Downs Incorporated-owned racetracks.

Bob Baffert ban: Bob Baffert banned two years from Churchill Downs 

Several horses trained by Baffert have won Kentucky Derby prep races over the past few months but have not accumulated qualifying points because of the Churchill Downs ban.

Who's the new Kentucky Derby winner?

Mandaloun finished a half-length behind Medina Spirit last May and has now been declared the Kentucky Derby winner.

Now a 4-year-old, Mandaloun is sired by Into Mischief out of the Empire Maker mare Brooch.

Mandaloun is trained by Brad Cox, who becomes the first Louisville-born trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. Cox has won the Eclipse Award for top trainer the past two years.

Mandaloun horse:What to know about new Derby winner Mandaloun 

Since the Kentucky Derby, Mandaloun has won all three of his races – the Pegasus Stakes last June at Monmouth Park, the Grade 1 Haskell last July at Monmouth and last month’s Grade 3 Louisiana Stakes at Fair Grounds.

Mandaloun is scheduled to run in this Saturday’s $20 million Saudi Cup.

Who owns Mandaloun?

Mandaloun is owned by Juddmonte, an international thoroughbred horse racing and breeding enterprise founded in 1980 by the late Prince Khalid bin Abdullah.

Prince Khalid died Jan. 12, 2021, at the age of 85.

Mandaloun becomes the first Kentucky Derby winner for Juddmonte. The group previously had a pair of second-place finishers with Aptitude in 2000 and Empire Maker in 2003.

Kentucky Derby bets: What happens to bets on Medina Spirit now that 2021 Kentucky Derby winner is disqualified?

How did Medina Spirit die?

Medina Spirit died Dec. 6 after a workout at Santa Anita Park.

Results of a necropsy released Feb. 11 could not precisely determine what caused the colt’s death. The necropsy revealed the presence of no drugs or toxicants other than those reported to the California Horse Racing Board: the anti-ulcer medication Omeprazole and the diuretic Lasix.

Though pathologists suspect the cause of death was acute heart failure, they stopped short of a conclusive diagnosis.

“It’s absolutely frustrating,” said Dr. Francisco Uzal, branch chief of the California Animal Health and Food Safety Lab. “The rule of thumb in most racing jurisdictions, pathologists agree, is that probably 50% of the cases go unresolved.”

Medina Spirit death: In death as in life, Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit still matters

Medina Spirit, a son of Protonico, finished third in the Preakness and won the Shared Belief and Grade 1 Awesome Again. His final race was a second-place finish behind Knicks Go in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 6 at Del Mar.

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @KentuckyDerbyCJ. Tim Sullivan contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What's next after Medina Spirit disqualified and Bob Baffert suspended