Grande Has Foot Bruise, Scratched By Vets From Kentucky Derby

[Wandering Eyes]

Grande (Curlin) will not make the elongated Churchill Downs starting gate for the GI Kentucky Derby on Saturday because of a foot bruise and was ruled off by the state veterinarians, according to a tweet on X from owner Mike Repole.

The runner-up in the GII Wood Memorial Stakes was prepping last week for the Derby at Keeneland before making the trip over to train at Churchill Downs. A $300,000 Keeneland September buy, the 3-year-old was scheduled for post 10 and Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez had the mount who was 20-1 on the morning-line.

Repole posted, “Unfortunately, the vets have decided to scratch Grande from tomorrow's Kentucky Derby. He has been battling a slight cracked heel this week which has been improving. To be cautious, Todd X-rayed on Monday and the horse had clean X-rays. On Wednesday, the state vets asked us if we could do a PET scan, and Grande had that yesterday and it was also clean.

“He has been training and looking great on the track all week,” the owner said. “The heel has improved throughout the week and it also improved again this morning. Unfortunately the vets told us this morning they were scratching the horse despite the clean diagnostics.”

Repole continued by saying that he and his team were mystified as to why Grande was scratched after the colt had such a great week training.

“With the race being tomorrow, and Baeza already having drawn into the race, we are also shocked and confused why this decision was made now,” said Repole. “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,” he said. “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.”

The official Derby scratch time on Friday was 9:00 a.m. ET. The current field for the big race sits at 19 since 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic) was forced to exit on Thursday evening. Baeza (McKinzie) has drawn in as the final also-eligible.

Unfortunately, the vets have decided to scratch Grande from tomorrow's Kentucky Derby.

He has been battling a slight cracked heel this week which has been improving. To be cautious, Todd X-rayed on Monday and the horse had clean X-rays. On Wednesday, the state vets asked us if…

— Repole Stable (@RepoleStable) May 2, 2025

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