2021 Preakness Stakes odds: Favored Medina Spirit in limbo for Saturday's race after positive Kentucky Derby drug test; post position draw postponed until Tuesday

The 146th Preakness Stakes, the second leg of thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown, is scheduled to be run Saturday from Pimlico in Baltimore. The Preakness already lost its original favorite, Essential Quality, simply because the colt's owners didn't want to run him again so soon after the Kentucky Derby. Medina Spirit was an upset winner of the Derby (went off at 12/1) and now is in the favored role for the Preakness but his status is very murky after a failed post-race drug test. The draw for the Preakness was to be today but was pushed to Tuesday to have some clarity on Medina Spirit.

The failed drug test by Medina Spirit led Churchill Downs to suspend Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert on Sunday, although Baffert has denied all wrongdoing. He received word Saturday that Medina Spirit had tested positive for an excessive amount of the steroid betamethasone, which is sometimes used to treat pain and inflammation in horses.  Betamethasone is a Class C drug that is allowed in Kentucky as a therapeutic but state rules require at least a 14-day withdrawal time and any level of detection on race day is a violation.

According to reports, Medina Spirit's failed test for betamethasone was the fifth known drug positive in Baffert's barn in a span of 12 months. Baffert, who seven Derby wins are a record (for now) for a trainer, has hinted that sabotage could be involved:

"We did not give it," Baffert said at Churchill Downs. "Medina Spirit has never been treated with betamethasone. I am not a conspiracy theorist. I know everybody is not out to get me, but there is definitely something wrong."

According to Kentucky Horse Racing Commission regulations, a second positive test — called a "split sample" — is required before a horse can be disqualified. If that second test does come back positive, second-place Derby finisher Mandaloun would be declared the race winner. Mandaloun is not running in the Preakness.

While Maximum Security was disqualified after winning the 2019 Derby, that was for interference and gave the win to Country House. The last and only time a horse was dethroned for a prohibited substance was Dancer's Image in 1968.

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Those who held tickets on Mandaloun to win the Derby will not be able to cash in retroactively, however. Asked Sunday about the possibility that Mandaloun bettors might profit from their wagers, an official with Churchill Downs pointed to this passage from Kentucky Horse Racing Commission regulations: "Payment of valid pari-mutuel tickets shall be made on the basis of the order of finish as declared 'official' by the stewards or judges. A subsequent change in the order of finish or award of purse money that may result from a subsequent ruling by the stewards, judges, or commission shall not affect the pari-mutuel payout."

Medina Spirit backers can still cash their tickets if they haven't already done so – may want to hurry, though. Because Maximum Security was DQ'd two years ago before track stewards declared the results official, Country House was the official winner from an on-track and betting perspective.

The post position draw for the Preakness is now Tuesday at approximately 4 p.m. ET at Pimlico Race Course. Presumably, there will be a decision on whether Medina Spirit will be allowed to run by then – Maryland's racing commission could step in. The horse was scheduled to van Monday from Churchill to Pimlico. Baffert also has won the Preakness a record seven times.

Officials from 1/ST Racing, which operates Pimlico, and the Maryland Jockey Club said Sunday they would consult with state authorities and that "any decision regarding the entry of Medina Spirit in the 146th Preakness Stakes will be made after review of the facts."

A lot of sportsbooks have taken Preakness odds off the board or have posted "winner without Medina Spirit" odds. Concert Tour, also trained by Baffert is the approximate 2/1 favorite at books under that "without Medina Spirit" scenario. Concert Tour didn't run in the Kentucky Derby and last was third in the Arkansas Derby on April 10.

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