Kentucky Horse Racing Commission stewards issued a ruling Monday disqualifying Medina Spirit from his 2021 Kentucky Derby (G1) win, on account of his testing positive for betamethasone.

Recently named the World’s Best Racehorse of 2021 according to rankings by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, Knicks Go was the runaway choice for Horse of the Year and champion older dirt male.

After a troubled fourth as the Kentucky Derby favorite, Essential Quality has been established as the 2-1 morning line choice for Saturday’s 153rd running of the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes. The once-beaten colt will face seven challengers in the final jewel of the Triple Crown.

After skipping the Kentucky Derby (G1), Rombauer exploded from off the pace to win the Preakness S. (G1) going away at odds of 11.80-1. Now he’s expected to bid for divisional leadership in the June 5 Belmont S. (G1), where several Derby alumni and a few new shooters are likely to pose fresh challenges.

Medina Spirit’s gutsy victory in the Kentucky Derby (G1) has come under the microscope after a positive postrace test for betamethasone. But the rags-to-riches colt will get his chance to follow up in Saturday's Preakness S. (G1) at Pimlico.

The 147th Kentucky Derby arrives this weekend! Early positioning seems key to Saturday’s Run for the Roses.

Essential Quality needed nearly the entire stretch, but the classy gray colt would not be denied in Saturday’s $800,000 Blue Grass S.