Signage Honoring Mandaloun Now Atop Churchill Paddock

Following the 2021 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) disqualification of Medina Spirit  issued Feb. 21 by Kentucky stewards, Churchill Downs staff replaced the nameplate commemorating last year's Derby winner over its paddock saddling area Feb. 22.

After hanging atop the location for the past nine months, Medina Spirit's nameplate was replaced with one honoring Mandaloun , now declared the first-place finisher. Post-race test results taken from Medina Spirit showed the presence of the corticosteroid betamethasone, which stewards ruled merits disqualification.

Attorneys for Medina Spirit's trainer, Bob Baffert, and owner, Zedan Racing Stables, plan to appeal the ruling, claiming Kentucky's race day prohibition of the therapeutic medication applies specifically to betamethasone acetate. They say Medina Spirit was exposed to betamethasone valerate when treated for skin rash with an anti-fungal cream.

In addition to Medina Spirit's disqualification, stewards fined trainer Bob Baffert $7,500 and suspended him 90 days, other sanctions to be contested under appeal.

The nameplate of Juddmonte's Mandaloun now joins the other Derby winners honored with signage throughout the Churchill Downs facility. The Brad Cox-trained son of Into Mischief   crossed the wire second behind Medina Spirit in the Kentucky Derby under Florent Geroux, beaten a half-length. Unless the stewards' decision is overturned, he will earn first prize of $1.86 million.

Medina Spirit, who concluded his 3-year-old season with a runner-up finish in the Nov. 6 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar, collapsed and died after a workout Dec. 6 at Santa Anita Park.