Panamanian jockey aboard Belmont winner

Panamanian jockey Luis Sáez, rode Essential Quality to victory Saturday, June 5 in the 153rd edition of the Belmont Stakes, the last stop of the Triple Crown, marred this year by the doping scandal in the Kentucky Derby.

Essential Quality, the main favorite in Saturday’s race, won with a comeback in which he beat Hot Rod Charlie in a thrilling duel down the stretch.

With the Belmont Stakes (Elmont, New York),victory Essential Quality recovers from the disappointment suffered on May 1 at the Kentucky Derby, where it was also a favorite and finished in fourth place.

In this way, Essential Quality and Rombauer, winner on May 15 in the Preakness test, share two of the Triple Crown victories while the winner of the third, the Kentucky Derby, is still in the air.

Colt Medina Spirit came in first place in the Derby but his victory could be annulled after he tested positive on the doping test.

Further testing confirmed the presence of the banned steroid betamethasone in Medina Spirit’s body.

Churchill Downs, where the Derby is held, this week announced a two-year suspension for Bob Baffert, the controversial coach of Medina Spirit.

Baffert, 68, is one of the most successful trainers in American equestrian history and, counting Medina Spirit’s triumph, holds the record for wins in the Kentucky Derby with seven trophies.