Derby field down to 19 after Grande scratched, owner questions why

Grande will not run in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, scratched because of a bruised foot.

The decision by the state veterinarians at Churchill Downs on Friday did not sit well with owner Mike Repole, who said he was "baffled and confused" by it.

Grande became the second horse scratched from the 151st Kentucky Derby, following the Bob Baffert-trained Rodriguez. That horse also was sidelined on Thursday due to a bruised foot.

In all, 19 horses now are scheduled to take a spot in the starting gates in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday.

Repole voiced his displeasure, writing on the Repole Stable X account that tests on the horse's cracked heel were clean.

"He has been training and looking great on the track all week. The heel has improved throughout the week and it also improved again this morning," Repole said. "Unfortunately the vets told us this morning they were scratching the horse despite the clean diagnostics. We were very confused with all the clean diagnostics and improvement all week, why they rushed to judgment to scratch today."

He continued: "We were given no real explanation why Grande was scratched 36 hours before the race. We all love these horses and our number one concern is the safety and welfare of these amazing Thoroughbreds. That is, and should always be the priority. 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 who scratches, who doesn't and when...especially when every diagnostic tells us the horse is safe and sound."

This is the second time in the three years that a horse owned by Repole and trained by Pletcher has been scratched from the Derby hours before the race.

In 2023, Forte -- the morning-line favorite -- was scratched by veterinarians on the morning of the race because of an injured right front foot.

Grande, the son of former Preakness Stakes winner Curlin, was set to run from post position No. 10 and had 10-1 betting odds. He has just three career starts, with one of them a win at Gulfstream Park in January.

Grande was Pletcher's only entry and was scheduled to be ridden by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, a three-time Kentucky Derby winner. Pletcher will miss the race for the first time since 2003.

--Field Level Media