LOUISVILLE, Ky.-- The early favorite for the Kentucky Derby was scratched Saturday hours prior to the race.
Strength was declared out of the 149th Derby, according to Churchill Downs representative Darren Rogers. Co-owner Mike Repole said Kentucky Horse Racing Commission veterinarians had concerns about a bruised right front foot.
It was the fifth scratch this week from the $3 million race, the very first time that numerous were scratched because 1936. That year 19 horses were entered and 14 ran.
The colt discovered the track throughout a workout Thursday, although trainer Todd Pletcher had minimized it.
Five horses have passed away at Churchill Downs in recent days, consisting of two trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. He was suspended by the track and had his Derby horse, Lord Miles, scratched.
State vets were at Pletcher's barn early Saturday to take a look at and observe Forte, who galloped on the track and then jogged outside the barn.
Specialty had a five-race winning streak and was the early 3-1 preferred. His jockey, Irad Ortiz Jr., will now ride Cyclone Mischief.
That leaves 18 horses to run in the 1 1/4-mile Derby. The horses will break from posts 1 through 18 in the 20-stall beginning gate. Posts 19 and 20 will be empty.
It was another pre-Derby dissatisfaction for Repole.
He owned Uncle Mo, the early favorite for the 2011 Derby who was scratched the day prior to the race. The colt had a gastrointestinal infection and was eventually detected with an unusual liver illness. He resumed racing before retiring in November of that year.
Other horses that were scratched today were Practical Move and Skinner, both since of fever, and Continuar.
Pletcher, a two-time Derby winner, will still saddle Tapit Trice and Kingsbarns.
It's not the first time the favorite has been scratched.
In 2019,
Omaha Beach missed out on the race because of an entrapped epiglottis, which affected his breathing. He had surgery and went on to race later that year.
In 2009, I Want Revenge was scratched on Derby day after a soft tissue injury to his left front ankle was found that morning.
Churchill Downs stated specific wagers positioned prior to the scratch will revert to the post-time favorite. Other wagers will get consolation payments. All other advance wagers on Forte, except for the Derby future wager, will be reimbursed.
Post time for the Derby is shortly prior to 4 p.m. PDT.
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