Kentucky Derby Favorite Forte Scratched From Race

[Wandering Eyes]

Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's morning line favorite Forte (Violence) was scratched from the GI Kentucky Derby on Saturday at 9 a.m. ET by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission state veterinarian, several sources reported this morning.

After Forte jogged this morning, a lengthy discussion ensued with state veterinarians, co-owner Mike Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher. Repole said that they were concerned about a bruised right front foot that was sustained during training on Wednesday. Upon further examination of the foot in question, the Derby favorite was ruled out of the race.

Forte is the fifth horse to scratch from Saturday's race, joining Practical Move (Practical Joke), Lord Miles (Curlin), Continaur (Jpn) (Drefong) and Skinner (Curlin). The last time five horses were scratched from the Kentucky Derby was 1936 when 19 horses entered the race and 14 ran.

Following the scratch, it was announced that Irad Ortiz Jr., who was scheduled to ride Forte, will now accept the mount aboard Cyclone Mischief (Into Mischief).

Program numbers for Saturday's Kentucky Derby, which has a post time of 6:57 p.m. ET, remain unchanged but post positions are moved without altering the order of the starters. The 18-horse lineup will break from posts 1-18 in the 20-stall Kentucky Derby starting gate. Posts 19 and 20 will be empty.

Any Pick 4, Pick 5 and Pick 6 wagers including the Kentucky Derby that were placed prior to the scratch will revert to the post time favorite. Bets on the two-day Oaks/Derby Double and the Oaks/Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic/Derby Pick 3 will receive consolation payouts. All other advance wagers on Forte–not including the Kentucky Derby Future Wager–will be refunded.

BREAKING: Todd Pletcher and Mike Repole being told by the state racing commission vet that Derby favorite Forte has been scratched. The Derby field is now down to 18. pic.twitter.com/wMfAvTg7uV

— Will Clark (@WClark_TV) May 6, 2023

 

Forte takes a jog for the state vet as his Derby fate remains in limbo. pic.twitter.com/7H9IfZP6bY

— Will Clark (@WClark_TV) May 6, 2023

 

Todd Pletcher and Mike Repole meet with the state racing commission vet as a decision looms on Forte's Derby status. pic.twitter.com/UoINtUs8zV

— Will Clark (@WClark_TV) May 6, 2023

The post Kentucky Derby Favorite Forte Scratched From Race appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article