After the retirement of PRINCESS NOOR last week, Zedan racing has a new exciting 2-year-old talent to carry on the torch. Debuting Friday night at Los Alamitos Race Course, Zedan Racing’s MEDINA SPIRIT (Protonico) made easy work of a maiden special weight field going five and 1/2 furlongs on the fast dirt track.

Although the morning line favorite, bettors favored Bob Baffert’s other entry in the race, Democrat, causing MEDINA SPIRIT to drift up to more than 3-1. Breaking alertly, MEDINA SPIRIT was away in the first flight, and raced to the outside of rivals in the three path, but already had his neck in front entering the turn. MEDINA SPIRIT kicked clear at the top of the stretch and held a safe advantage over the closing bids to win by three lengths, completing the contest in 1:02.93.

Bred in Kentucky by Gail Rice, MEDINA SPIRIT is the first foal out of the juvenile-winning Brilliant Speed mare, Mongolian Changa. He is from the immediate family of champion Forest Flower (G1) and multiple Grade 1 winner High Yield. MEDINA SPIRIT was purchased at the 2020 OBS July Sale from the consignment of Whitman Sales.