Hearing into Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit's failed drug test pushed back

Monday's scheduled hearing into Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit's failed drug test has been pushed back a week in the US.

The date had been reported in testimony during a case before a New York hearing officer considering the New York Racing Association's effort to ban Medina Spirit's trainer Bob Baffert from its tracks.

The stewards' hearing would be the first step toward any regulatory action against the horse's owner, Zedan Racing Stables, or Baffert. Zedan would lose the $1.86 million purse if Medina Spirit is disqualified and Baffert, as the horse's trainer, could face a fine or suspension.

Bob Baffert: trainer could face action over failed drugs testCredit: Edward Whitaker

Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone, which in Kentucky is prohibited at any level on raceday. Guidelines for such an infraction call for a disqualification of the horse to last and sanctions for the trainer, although attorneys for the owner and Baffert have argued the rules do not apply to the type of betamethasone found in Medina Spirit's post-race sample.

Kentucky regulations do not require any public reporting of when stewards' hearings are scheduled and the meetings are conducted in private. Stewards' decisions are posted to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission website.

Medina Spirit, who went on to win the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes and finished second to Knicks Go in the Breeders' Cup Classic, collapsed and died after a workout in December.

Read more:

'I take pride in running a tight ship' - Baffert testifies as hearing continues

Kentucky Derby first Medina Spirit collapses and dies after Santa Anita workout

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