MEDINA SPIRIT won the Awesome Again S. (G1) for Zedan Racing at Santa Anita on October 2. The dark bay colt returned to the dirt after a wire-to-wire win at Del Mar August 29.  MEDINA SPIRIT set the pace early and dueled his rivals until Johnny Velazquez piloted him with a burst of speed down the stretch. TIZAMAGICIAN chased MEDINA SPIRIT but failed to maintain his position when the Protonico colt romped down the stretch for an impressive 5 length victory.

“It is just a very emotional win for me,” Baffert said as his voice cracked. “He’s a great horse and he showed it today.” Via BloodHorse; MEDINA SPIRIT’s gritty performance demonstrated his heart is solid in the Grade 1 arena as his connections point him toward the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

“They don’t give him much credit,” winning rider John Velazquez said. “The way he won today was impressive.  So maybe they’ll give him the credit he deserves.  I keep saying and I probably sound like a broken record, but his guy, he has a ton of heart.” Via BloodHorse