Runner -up from wooden immersions (G2) Grande was scratched by May 3, Kentucky (G1) Churchill Downs. The 3-year-old Colt, trained by Todd Platcher, did not train on May 2 and had to deal with a cracked heel, according to his owner Mike Repole Stall.
Regulatory veterinarians visited on Friday morning after the training of Pletcher's barn and conducted a group discussion with the Hall of Fame trainer. Shortly thereafter, repro and Churchill Downs announced a formal scratch. Repole wrote to X that “the veterinarians have decided to scratch Grande”.
This is the third disappointing Derby Scratch for Role, one of the most successful owners of the sport, afterwards Uncle Mo And Strength were scratched in 2011 and 2023. These two horses were probably the favorites; Grande, who won his first two starts before his second in the Wood Memorial, was a 20: 1 shot to win the 1 1/4 miles of the triple crown.
Apart from the fact that the horse did not train on Friday morning, Pletcher declined a comment beyond Repole's statement. The Curlin Colt had otherwise trained regularly since he had arrived Keeneland Last week when he had posted his last training session for the Kentucky Derby.
Grande's scratch means that Pletcher will not have a starter for the roses for the roses for the first time since 2003. The two-time derby winner kept 65 horses in the derby, most of a coach in history.
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The Grande scratch leaves a derby field of 19th Wood Memorial winner, Rodriguez was scratched on May 1st and also allowed Baeza move into the race.
Hall of Fame Trainer Todd Plletcher (center) speaks to regulatory stier in his barn in Churchill Downs
Role expressed frustration in his post and said that the Grand heel had improved.
“To be careful, Todd has X -rays on Monday and the horse has neat X -rays,” Pole published Friday. “On Wednesday, the state veterinarians asked us whether we could carry out a PET scan, and Grande was neat and it was also neat. We were very confused with all the neat diagnosis and improvement throughout the week, why they stormed to judgment today. the situation was.
“We all love these horses and our concern is the security and well -being of these amazing thoroughbred. That means and should always be a priority. With all the diagnostics we have recorded, the great veterinarians we employ employ Hall of Fame -Trainer Todd Platcher, we are amazed and confused by the criteria that suffer criteria.”
In recent years, scratches in the derby, the Breeders' Cup and other great racing events have been common in the interest of the security of horses.
All horses that had been pulled outside of Grande who had secured after 10 will now come into a position.
