Preakness Post Position Draw Moved to May 11

The post position draw for the 146th Preakness Stakes (G1) will now be held May 11 at approximately 4 p.m. ET at Pimlico Race Course, according to an announcement made May 9 by track owner The Stronach Group.

The draw for the second jewel in the Triple Crown was originally scheduled for May 10. News of the delay comes after the announcement Sunday that Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) winner Medina Spirit  failed a post-race drug test and was found to be positive for the corticosteroid betamethasone, facing possible disqualification from the May 1 race at Churchill Downs.

Betamethasone is a Class C drug that is allowed in Kentucky as a therapeutic. However, state rules require at least a 14-day withdrawal time and any level of detection on race day is a violation.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert reiterated Sunday his plans to send Zedan Racing Stables' Medina Spirit and Gary and Mary West's homebred Concert Tour  to the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Both horses are scheduled to van Monday from Churchill to Pimlico.

CROSBY/ANGST: Medina Spirit Tests Positive for Betamethasone

"Integrity in the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing is the ultimate priority for 1/ST Racing and the Maryland Jockey Club," read a statement released Sunday by The Stronach Group and its consumer-facing brand 1/ST Racing. The Stronach Group owns the MJC. "1/ST Racing has been an industry leader instituting processes and protocols that have led to nationwide medication reform and increased accountability. We are committed to achieving the highest level of horse care and safety standards, and we have a proven track record of pushing those standards forward.

"1/ST Racing and MJC intend to review the relevant facts and information relating to the reported medication positive as a result of the post-race blood sample testing completed by Churchill Downs following the 147th Kentucky Derby involving Medina Spirit trained by Bob Baffert. We are consulting with the Maryland Racing Commission and any decision regarding the entry of Medina Spirit in the 146th Preakness Stakes will be made after review of the facts."

ANGST: Derby Positive Puts Spotlight on Betamethasone

The draw for the May 14 Black-Eyed Susan Day card at Pimlico has also been postponed, from May 9 to May 10.

Baffert, who secured a record seventh Kentucky Derby win with Medina Spirit, also holds the record for most editions of the Preakness won by a trainer. He has won the Preakness seven times—in 1997 with Silver Charm, in 1998 with Real Quiet, in 2001 with Point Given, in 2002 with War Emblem, in 2010 with Lookin At Lucky, in 2015 with American Pharoah  , and in 2018 with Justify  . Last year he trained Kentucky Derby winner Authentic   to a neck loss in the Preakness to the filly Swiss Skydiver .

Preakness Stakes weekend is the sport's biggest day in Maryland. The May 14 card, anchored by the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) for 3-year-old fillies, features 14 races, six of them stakes and four of those graded, worth $1 million in purses. The Stronach Group reported 175 horses nominated for that card. The May 15 Preakness Day card drew 244 nominations for 14 races, nine of them stakes and five of those graded, worth $1.25 million in purses.