FROM AP PRESS
Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Pa Derby took a hit Tuesday when Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert announced that the 2-1 morning-line favorite MEDINA SPIRIT, will not run.
Speaking by phone from his base in California, Baffert said he pulled the plug after thinking more about the draw for the 1 1/8-mile Pennsylvania Derby, a race he has won three times. What it came down to, Baffert said, was the draw.
He didn’t like that Medina Spirit was going to start from post position 9. Medina Spirit, who does his best running from on the lead, had two other solid speed horses – Hot Rod Charlie (post 7) and Midnight Bourbon (post 8) inside of him.