Continuar Out Of Derby, King Russell In As Last AE

[Wandering Eyes]

Lion Horse Race Co. Ltd.'s Continuar (Jpn) (Drefong) will reportedly be scratched from this year's GI Kentucky Derby, according to trainer Yoshito Yahagi.

“After evaluating the colt upon my arrival, I feel that he has not been able to reach the peak fitness required to take on a race as tough as the Kentucky Derby,” Yahagi said. “Considering the future of the horse and the fact that we cannot show the horse's true ability in his current state, we have decided to scratch Continuar from the Kentucky Derby. I am very sorry that I cannot participate in the world's number one horse racing festival, however I sincerely hope to return to the Derby in the future. I want to thank everyone who has supported Continuar and Yahagi Stable on this journey.”

Continuar qualified for the Kentucky Derby through the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby point series where he received an invitation to compete in the first leg of the Triple Crown. With this defection, Brereton Jones and Naber Racing's King Russell (Creative Cause), trained by Ron Moquett, will draw into the field and break from the outside post 20. The program number 23 will remain the same.

Scratch time for Kentucky Derby 149 is Friday at 9 a.m. ET.

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