SANTA ANITA, CA. (THECOUNT) — Medina Spirit, the 2021 Kentucky Derby winner, suddenly died on a track in Southern California on Monday.
The thoroughbred, who won the Kentucky Derby in May, died while running a race on the Santa Anita track Monday.
The horse’s owner, Amr Zedan, confirmed the death to Thoroughbred Daily News, revealing it appears the colt suffered a heart attack just after a workout in Santa Anita, reports TMZ.
The horse was just 3 years old.
In May, Medina Spirit tested positive for steroids following its run, and even though Medina Spirit’s legendary trainer, Bob Baffert, denied that they cheated to win — the colt could be stripped of the victory down the road pending the results of an ongoing investigation.
Medina Spirit went on to finish in third place in the Preakness Stakes after the Derby — but did not race in the ensuing Belmont Stakes after Baffert was suspended over doping allegations.
DEVELOPING::
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FL. (THECOUNT) — Lauryn Marie Akey, 21, of Bradenton, Florida, was killed early…
MANHATTAN, NY. (THECOUNT) — Donike Gocaj, 56, of Briarcliff Manor, New York, died Monday night…
SAN DIEGO, CA. (THECOUNT) — Mansour Kaziha, Nader Awad, and Amin Abdullah were identified Tuesday…
STARBASE, TX. (THECOUNT) — José Luis “Joe” Bautista Jr., 25, of Donna, Texas, died after…
MUNSTER TWP., PA. (THECOUNT) — Calvin Ates, 27, of the Nanty Glo area, Pennsylvania, was…
ROCHESTER TWP., MN. (THECOUNT) — Aidan Hugeback, 23, of Byron, Minnesota, was killed Monday afternoon…