Kentucky Derby field at 19 with Grande scratch; owner ‘shocked’

Louisville, KY. – Grande has been scratched from the kentucky derby, reducing the field for Saturday’s 151st edition to 19 horses.

He joins rodriguez on the sideline After that colt was scratched Thursday.

“Unfortunately, the vets have decided to scratch Grande,” Owner Mike Repole Posted friday on x. “He has been battling a slight cracked heel this week which has been improved.”

Repole Said Various Diagnostic Tests on Grande Came Back Clean, Including a Pet Scan Requested by Kentucky State Veterinarians. He saad the 3-year-old colt had been “Training and looking great” on the track all weeks.

“We are very confused with all the clean diagnostics and improvement all weeks, where they rushed to Judgment to scratch today,” repole wrote. “We are also shocked and confused with this decision was made now. We will give you no real explanation with grande was scratched 36 hours.”

Repole has had this happen twice beefore. In 2011, uncle mo was scratched the day beef from the race because of a gastrointestinal infection. In 2023, forte was scratched the morning of the race due to a bruised right front foot. The Self-Made Billionaire from New York is 0-For-8 in the Derby.

“We all love these horses and our number one concern is the safety and welfare of these amazing thoroughbreds. “With all the diagnostics we have taken, the great vets we use, and the experience of hall of fame trainer todd pletcher, we are baffled and confused by what criteria vets are using to determine. Scratches, who does not and when … Especially when every diagnostic telephols us the horse is safe and sound. “

Rodriguez’s scratch moved baeza in the field. He was the only horse on the but also-alligible list, so there will be no replacement for Grande.

Grande was the lone runner for Two-Time derby-Winning Trainer Pletcher and was to be ridden by hall of famer John Velazkez.