2021 Kentucky Derby Winner Medina Spirit Dies After Collapsing During Workout

Photo: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

Bob Baffert, who trained the 3-year-old colt, released a statement noting that the horse died from a heart attack.

There are plans for the colt to undergo a complete necropsy that will help determine more about the cause of death.

Santa Anita released a statement as well, according to AP, noting blood, hair, and urine samples were taken from the horse and sent to the California Horse Racing Board.

“American horse racing continues to be ridden with scandal after scandal, but we believe the implementation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act will soon help bring legitimacy back to the sport,” the executive director added, referencing the act that was signed into law in Dec. 2020.

Because of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, starting July 1, 2022, a uniform national horseracing anti-doping and medication control program and a racetrack safety program will be implemented at thoroughbred racing tracks across America,according to Congress.gov.

“I’m the luckiest guy in the world,” Baffert said after the race, adding, “That little horse has heart … he won today, he doesn’t know how much he costs, but he was a little racehorse today.”

source: people.com