After due process is completed, Mandaloun will almost certainly be declared the winner of the 2021 Kentucky Derby. He finished second to Medina Spirit, who tested positive for a banned substance. In the 2021 Haskell at Monmouth Park, it was déjà vu as Mandaloun again finished second, this time to Hot Rod Charlie, who was disqualified to last place.
Consequently, if Medina Spirit is disqualified, Mandaloun will have won a Grade 1 race in May and another in July without actually getting to the wire first in either race. This may be the only time in the history of U. S. racing that a horse will have won two Grade 1 races via disqualification, but this rarity of rarities has occurred at least once in Europe.
In May 2010, the 3-year-old filly Special Duty finished second in the British Group 1 race the 1000 Guineas to Jacqueline Quest at Newmarket and then two weeks later she ran second to Liliside in the Group 1 French 1000 Guineas (the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches) at Longchamp. Special Duty was elevated to first place in both classic races after Jacqueline Quest was moved to second place and Liliside was relegated to sixth place.
Horse racing in Europe and America have a long history, so it is risky to say for sure that a result is an historical first. But Special Duty appears presently to be the only dual Grade 1 or Group 1 winner through disqualification, with Mandaloun odds-on to to join her in the future.
Copyright © 2021 Horse Racing Business
Recent Comments