By Marty Irby — Providing [your readers] with our statement on the news that the 2021 Kentucky Derby winner, Medina Spirit, has allegedly tested positive for betamethasone, an anti-inflammatory drug that can be used to mask pain.
The Louisville Courier-Journal reports here.Animal Wellness Action worked diligently in leading the charge in the animal protection space on the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act that was signed into law in December and banned doping in the sport. But the new law doesn’t take effect until 2022.
And despite the Kentucky Racing Commission’s ban on Lasix that saw this year’s Derby entries running Lasix-free, yet another scandal appears to plague the sport.Rogue trainers and owners – the worst of the worst in the sport – filed suit to block the legislation from being implemented, but they are already facing failure in the courts.
Here’s our statement on the Medina Spirit incident and alleged positive test that can be attributed to Marty Irby, executive director at Animal Wellness Action.
“The latest doping scandal in U.S. horse racing underscores the need for swift implementation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act that will address inconsistencies in drug testing and create a uniform national standard of rules and regulations in the sport.
“If further investigation finds Medina Spirit legitimately tested positive for illegal drugs at the Kentucky Derby, then racing authorities should throw the book at those found guilty of violating the rules and punish them to the fullest extent of the law. American horse racing will be held to a higher standard – there’s no excuse for rigging the ‘fastest two minutes in sports,’ especially at the expense of the horse’s well-being.
”If you have any questions please do let me know, and if it’s helpful please find my 2020 testimony before the U.S. Congress here as well. I can be reached at 202-821-5686.
Marty Irby, Executive Director Animal Wellness Action611 Pennsylvania Ave. S.E. #136 Washington, D.C. 20003
