Medina Spirit necropsy will take around 2 months to complete – Horse Racing Nation

The post-mortem examination of Medina Spirit by the California Horse Racing Board will likely take at least two months to complete, the board said in a statement to Horse Racing Nation on Thursday.

"In the case of sudden deaths, with the toxicology and outsourcing of some samples for analysis, two months to conclude is a reasonable timeline," the CHRB said.

To buttress the necropsy, the researchers hope to determine whether Medina Spirit had specific genetic factors putting him at risk for sudden cardiac death, the University of Minnesota said in a statement.

The samples from Medina Spirit sent to the university's College of Veterinary Medicine will also be incorporated into an ongoing research project to understand genetic and other risk factors for sudden cardiac death in racehorses.

Medina Spirits death is devastating, and sadly, such deaths occur all too frequently, said Dr. Molly McCue, a professor for the University of Minnesotas College of Veterinary Medicine who has been studying genetic disease in horses for two decades. Our hope is to find ways to pinpoint horses at risk so we can intervene before they lose their lives. In addition to helping equine athletes, this research may also provide answers for sudden cardiac death in young human athletes.

Also, in July 2020, the CHRB began a Postmortem Examination Review program of all fatalities in the state focused on education and prevention of catastrophic injuries. Trainer participation is mandatory in these reviews, which is conducted by an official CHRB veterinarian, a member of the board of stewards, a safety steward and CHRB equine medical director Dr. Jeff Blea.

Owned by Zedan Racing, Medina Spirit compiled a record of 10: 5-4-1 and banked $3,545,200 during two years on the track.

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Medina Spirit necropsy will take around 2 months to complete - Horse Racing Nation