Medina Spirit Out of PA Derby, Pointed to Awesome Again
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Medina Spirit wins the Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar
Zedan Racing Stables' Medina Spirit , entered in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing Sept. 25, will be scratched from Saturday's race and will instead run in the $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park Oct. 2, according to trainer Bob Baffert.
"I want to do what is best for the horse," Baffert told turf writer Tim Wilkin, who is handling Parx Racing publicity this week. "I don't like the way he drew."
Medina Spirit, who typically races on or near the lead, drew post 9 in the Pennsylvania Derby, a 1 1/8-mile race that drew several early runners.
In the Pennsylvania Derby, Medina Spirit had been set to face nine others, including Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) runner-up Hot Rod Charlie and Midnight Bourbon , who was second in the Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course in his last start.
Hot Rod Charlie, the 5-2 second choice on the morning line released before the announced scratch of 2-1 Medina Spirit, drew post 7 and Midnight Bourbon, 5-1 on the line, landed post 8.
Bob Baffert and jockey John Velazquez hug Medina Spirit after his victory in the Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar
"I have a lot of respect for the other two horses," Baffert said from California. "I was really looking forward to it. It's a great race with him in there, but it's something I have to do. I feel that part of my success is knowing when to run. This is a management call of mine."
Medina Spirit (Protonico ) has won three of seven starts this year, including the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), and his most recent race, the Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar Aug. 29. He faces the possibility of disqualification in the Kentucky Derby after testing positive for betamethasone. A stewards' hearing related to the Derby has yet to take place while follow-up testing has continued.
Baffert has won the Pennsylvania Derby three times. His first victory came in 2014 with Bayern and he also took it in 2017 with West Coast and 2018 with McKinzie .
Baffert also said that filly Private Mission , who was 9-2 on the morning line for Saturday's $1 million Cotillion Stakes (G1), also will be staying home. She will be pointed to the $200,000 Zenyatta Stakes (G2) Oct. 3, also at Santa Anita—Baffert's principal training and racing base.