Despite testing positive for a steroid following the Kentucky Derby, Medina Spirit’s quest for a Triple Crown continues Saturday with the Preakness Stakes. Post time is set for 6:50 p.m. Eastern.
WATCH LIVE FOR FREE: Fubo.tv (7-day free trial) and Hulu + Live TV (free trial).
Medina Spirit enters the race as the favorite of the 10-horse field at 9-to-5 odds as of Friday afternoon. He will have to pass three drug tests to race on Saturday. Should Medina Spirit win again, he will try for the Triple Crown on June 5 at the Belmont Stakes.
What: 2021 Preakness Stakes.
When: Saturday, May 15, 2021.
Time: Coverage starts at 5 p.m. Eastern. Post time at 6:50 p.m.
Where: Pimlico in Baltimore, Md. (109,748).
TV: NBC.
Cable channel finder: AT&T U-Verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DIRECTV, Dish, Verizon Fios, WOW.
Live streams: Fubo.tv (FREE 7-day trial); Hulu + Live TV (FREE trial); and NBCSports.com (TV provider sign-in required).
Check out the starting grid and odds for the race.
Read some of what Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press wrote about the Preakness allowing Medina Spirit to race if he passes his drug tests.
Medina Spirit is set to run in the Preakness on Saturday to go for the second leg of the Triple Crown, as long as the Kentucky Derby winner passes a series of additional drug tests.
Maryland racing officials reached an agreement with trainer Bob Baffert on Tuesday to allow Medina Spirit and his other horses to enter races this weekend at Pimlico Race Course subject to extra testing and monitoring. If Medina Spirit, who failed a postrace drug test after winning the Kentucky Derby, comes back clean in test results expected Friday, he is likely to be the favorite to win the Preakness.
“We reached an agreement with Mr. Baffert and his lawyers that allows for additional testing, additional monitoring — essentially a watchlist to ensure the integrity of the sport leading up to the race,” Maryland Jockey Club lawyer Alan Rifkin said. “We’re very pleased to have that and we appreciate Mr. Baffert’s patience and the way in which his lawyers went about it.”
Medina Spirit, fellow Baffert-trained Preakness colt Concert Tour and filly Beautiful Gift, who is expected to run in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on Friday, are all subject to the extra scrutiny.
“Baffert has given these consents to further the interests of horse racing and the public,” lawyer Craig Robertson wrote in a letter to the Maryland Jockey Club. “The integrity of the sport is of the utmost importance to Mr. Baffert, and by consenting to this testing regimen and monitoring, he reaffirms his commitment and dedication to the sport.”
Medina Spirit drew the No. 3 post in a field of 10 horses for the Preakness as the 9-5 morning-line favorite. Concert Tour drew the outside 10th post and is the second choice in the wagering at 5-2.
Ram drew the No. 1 post at 30-1, Keepmeinmind the No. 2 at 15-1, Crowded Trade the No. 4 post at 10-1, Midnight Bourbon the No. 5 post at 5-1, Rombauer the No. 6 at 12-1, France Go de Ina the No. 7 at 20-1, Unbridled Honor the No. 8 at 15-1 and Risk Taking the No. 9 at 15-1.
Keepmeinmind and Midnight Bourbon are the only Kentucky Derby horses returning for the Preakness to challenge Medina Spirit. Trainer Brad Cox opted to skip the race with Mandaloun, who would be named the Derby winner if Medina Spirit is disqualified, and Essential Quality, who went off as the 3-1 Derby favorite.
Medina Spirit won that race May 1 as a 12-1 long shot. He won’t be anywhere close to that if he gets to the Preakness.
“To me, if everyone runs their race that we have seen from them in the past, I think this is Medina Spirit’s race to lose,” NBC Sports analyst Matt Bernier said.