Feinstein Urges Transparent Medina Spirit Investigation

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) penned a letter to the California Horse Racing Board Dec. 13—and published it via a press release from her office—calling for a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation into the death of Medina Spirit . The 3-year-old colt died last week of a suspected heart attack after completing a workout at Santa Anita Park.

Medina Spirit, the first-place finisher from this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs, tested positive for prohibited raceday presence of the corticosteroid betamethasone following the May 1 race. His Hall of Fame trainer, Bob Baffert, attributes its presence to the treatment of an anti-fungal ointment to treat a skin condition on the colt.

The CHRB, the regulatory body in California, has already indicated its plans to investigate Medina Spirit's death. All horses that die within facilities regulated by the CHRB undergo postmortem (necropsy) examination at a California Animal Health and Food Safety diagnostic laboratory under the auspices of the University of California, Davis. Cause of death cannot be determined until the necropsy and toxicology tests have been completed.

The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine's Equine Genetics and Genomics Laboratory will also conduct an analysis separate from the UC Davis necropsy.

Previously, Feinstein harshly critiqued the racing industry after a large number of breakdowns in the state in 2019. On multiple occasions that year, she called for Santa Anita to suspend racing, including after Mongolian Groom  was euthanized due to injury in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) there.

Feinstein was one of two original cosponsors in the Senate of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act. 

The text of Feinstein's letter to Scott Chaney, executive director of the CHRB, is as follows:

"As the California Horse Racing Board proceeds with the investigation into the jarring death of Medina Spirit, I urge you to ensure such efforts are thorough, transparent, and independent of any outside influence. Further, I ask that you provide my staff with regular updates on the investigation and any recommended actions necessary to prevent additional fatalities.

"As you well know, Medina Spirit is one of 71 racehorses who have died at California racing facilities thus far in 2021. While this represents a reduction in deaths from prior years, it is apparent that more work is necessary to prevent these tragic fatalities. The continuation of racehorse deaths across the country illustrates why states' cooperation is especially critical to support the implementation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act. As you know, this law establishes national, uniform safety standards for horseracing, which will take effect on July 1, 2022.

"I recognize that Governor Newsom and the CHRB have worked to improve the safety of horseracing, and I expect this matter will be treated with the seriousness and professionalism it deserves. As a lifelong horse-enthusiast, I appreciate your prioritizing the welfare of racehorses. Your oversight role in this investigation and beyond is critical to protecting these horses and strengthening the integrity of the sport. Please let me know if I can be helpful."