The Preakness Stakes will be attended by fans and Medina Spirit following the colt's failed post-Derby drug test.

Medina Spirit, the Kentucky Derby winner, is scheduled to run in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on Saturday evening, just days after failing a post-Derby drug test.

The 146th running of the Preakness Stakes will be the second event in horse racing's Triple Crown, resuming normalcy after the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted last year's schedule. A maximum of 10,000 people will be allowed to attend, with masks required unless eating or drinking.

The race will be broadcast live on NBC, with the start time set for 6:50 p.m. ET.

"We are excited to welcome fans back to Pimlico Race Course for Preakness 146," said Belinda Stronach, chairman, CEO, and president of 1/ST, which owns Pimlico.

"While attendance at the Preakness will be limited due to COVID-19 protocols, the excitement of the race will not be. The 1/ST team has worked tirelessly and in collaboration with Baltimore City and the State of Maryland to plan an exciting and memorable day of world-class Thoroughbred horse racing and entertainment."

The return of the fans will not be enough to divert attention away from Medina Spirit and controversial trainer Bob Baffert, who is not expected to attend the race.

According to Preakness race organisers, Baffert agreed to blood tests for Medina Spirit as well as monitoring by the Maryland Racing Commission in order to compete in the 10-horse field on Saturday. Officials said Friday that the results of the horse's blood samples were clear.

Medina Spirit won the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago, but then tested positive for elevated levels of betamethasone, an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid, casting doubt on the victory.

Baffert, a Hall of Fame horse trainer, denied any wrongdoing, calling the test results a "injustice to the horse" and telling Fox News that the horse was a victim of "cancel culture."

However, in a statement released on Tuesday, Baffert admitted that the horse was given betamethasone ointment prior to the Derby.

"Medina Spirit developed dermatitis on his hind end after the Santa Anita Derby. My veterinarian examined him and advised me to use an anti-fungal ointment called Otomax. The veterinary recommendation was to use this ointment on a daily basis to provide relief to the horse, aid in the healing of the dermatitis, and prevent it from spreading "a section of Baffert's statement reads

"While we do not know for certain that this was the source of the alleged 21 picograms found in Medina Spirit's post-race blood sample, and our investigation is ongoing, equine pharmacology experts have told me that this could explain the test results. As a result, as soon as I learned of this information, I wanted to be open about it "The statement continues.

The winner of the Derby, Medina Spirit, has not been disqualified. A Medina Spirit split sample is being tested, and if the original results are confirmed, Baffert will have the opportunity to appeal. If Medina Spirit's appeal is denied, she will be stripped of the Kentucky Derby title as well as the prize money.

The results of the tests will not be available for another four to eight weeks.

Preakness last year was delayed due to the pandemic, and was held without spectators in October. Swiss Skydiver, a 3-year-old jockey rider, Robby Albarado, and a Peter Callahan rider, under coach Kenneth McPeek, was the winner.

Belmont Stakes, scheduled for 5 June, are the third race of the Triple Crown.