Rombauer won the 146th Preakness Stakes in Baltimore Saturday night, denying Medina Spirit the chance to become the sport’s 14th Triple Crown winner.
Rombauer, whose trainer is Michael McCarthy and whose jockey is Flavien Prat, was a long shot to win the race at 12-1 morning-line odds.
McCarthy said he was “so proud of this horse” after the victory.
“It just goes to show you that small players in the game can be successful as well,” he added.
MEDINA SPIRIT’S TRAINER CRITICIZES ‘CANCEL CULTURE’ AFTER HORSE FAILS DRUG TEST
Rombauer’s victory denies Medina Spirit, who has attracted controversy in recent weeks, the opportunity to become a Triple Crown winner. After winning the Derby on May 1, Medina Spirit tested positive for drugs last Sunday, with the horse reportedly having 21 picograms of betamethasone (which is 11 picograms above the legal limit in Kentucky racing) in his system.
Bob Baffert, a seven-time Derby winner and Medina Spirit’s trainer, denied any wrongdoing, saying the horse may have failed a drug test due to steroids in his medication.
“My investigation is continuing, and we do not know for sure if this ointment was the cause of the test results, or if the test results are even accurate, as they have yet to be confirmed by the split sample,” Baffert said, according to the Associated Press. “I have been told that a finding of a small amount, such as 21 picograms, could be consistent with application of this type of ointment.”
Baffert was suspended by Churchill Downs, which hosts the Kentucky Derby, while the matter is pending, though Medina Spirit was still allowed to enter the Preakness Stakes. Medina Spirit’s positive drug test will not nullify his victory unless results from another sample test positive for drugs.
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If the horse is disqualified, runner-up Mandaloun will be declared the winner. The last horse to be disqualified for a positive drug test was Dancer’s Image in 1968, prompting the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to recognize the runner-up as the winner of that year’s Derby, except for pari-mutuel payoffs.
The third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, will be held on June 5 in Elmont, New York.
