Bob Baffert, Medina Spirit officially out of Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park
The odds of Medina Spirit running in the $1 million TVG.com Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park were growing longer with each passing day.
But Monmouth Park officials were in contact with trainer Bob Baffert over the weekend, and on Tuesday confirmed that Medina Spirit, who failed a post-race drug test after winning the Kentucky Derby, would not be making the trip from Southern California to the Jersey Shore for the July 17 race.
“Medina Spirit’s not coming,” said Monmouth Park racing secretary John Heims. “The race just comes up too quickly.”
Medina Spirit has just one published workout since running third in the Preakness on May 15 in his last start, going three furlongs at Santa Anita on June 14, with Baffert, who has won the Haskell a record nine times, saying last week that the colt might not be ready.
There is an ongoing legal battle over Medina Spirit’s positive test for betamethasone, with Baffert currently suspended in Kentucky and New York, although Monmouth Park officials said publicly that he was welcome to run in the Haskell.
With Medina Spirit officially out, who will be running in the Grade 1 fixture?
Kentucky Derby runner-up Mandaloun, who would be named the Derby winner if Medina Spirit is disqualified, won the $150,000 TVG.com Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park on June 13 as a prep race for the Haskell. Mandaloun had a bullet five-furlong workout at Churchill Downs for trainer Brad Cox Saturday, covering the distance in 59.20 seconds.
Preakness winner Rombauer was described as being "50-50" for the Haskell by owner-breeder John Fradkin after working five furlongs at Santa Anita Saturday, according to Horse Racing Nation. It was Rombauer’s second workout since finishing third in the Belmont Stakes on June 5.
After Hot Rod Charlie worked six furlongs at Santa Anita last Friday, trainer Doug O'Neill told Horse Racing Nation that he was “leaning that way” when asked about the Haskell. Hot Rod Charlie finished third in the Kentucky Derby and second in the Belmont Stakes.
Trainer Steve Asmussen has said that Midnight Bourbon, second in the Preakness after running sixth in the Kentucky Derby, is being pointed towards the Haskell.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Bob Baffert, Medina Spirit out of Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park
