Kentucky Derby Runs Into More Obstacles Ahead Of Big Race

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – The 149th Kentucky Derby cast was recast again hours before the race on Saturday when early favorite Forte was scratched.

“This is part of racing, and it’s the cruel part,” Mike Repole, co-owner of Forte, told FanDuel TV.

It was the seventh Derby scratch in the days of the $3 million race for three-year-olds. In recent days, five horses have perished at Churchill Downs.

On a mostly gloomy and humid day, the succession of horse deaths put a pall over some Derby watchers.

“It’s concerning, and I hope they’re quickly trying to do the best they can to correct whatever’s going on,” said Michael Freeze, who dressed up as a jockey with a friend. “They must do whatever is best for the horses and the sport.”

Chloe’s Dream, a 3-year-old horse in Saturday’s second race, had a terrible step leaving the first bend, pulled up, and was brought away in an equine ambulance. According to trainer Jeff Hiles, the gelding was being treated at the track’s equine hospital.

“Something is going on,” Pat Murtha, attending his first Derby, stated. “They need to figure it out and put some rules in place to protect these animals.”

New anti-doping and medication restrictions implemented by the sport’s central governing body are set to go into effect on May 22.

The absence of Forte, the early 3-1 favorite, reduces the field to 18 horses for the 1 1/4-mile race.

On a mostly gloomy and humid day, the succession of horse deaths put a pall over some Derby watchers.

According to Repole, Forte was diagnosed with a bruised foot by Kentucky Horse Racing Commission vets. He stated that the bruise appeared on the colt a few days ago. The horse tripped during training on Thursday, but trainer Todd Pletcher played it down publicly.

Behind the scenes, though, there was a different narrative.

“We did X-rays, we brought in vets, the state vets came in, and they watched him every single day,” Repole explained during the interview. “He’s all right. He’ll probably need a few more days to heal.”

Tapit Trice and Kingsbarns are Pletcher’s remaining Derby contenders.

A crowd of approximately 150,000 people is expected to assemble at Churchill Downs to gamble and watch the Derby. The time now is 6:57 p.m. EDT.

Wild On Ice, a Derby contender, was among the horses killed. Saffie Joseph Jr. trained two of the horses. The track suspended him indefinitely, although investigations have yet to ascertain the cause of his horses’ deaths.

“It doesn’t make me happy to see a horse get euthanized,” racegoer Joe Conforto, who was sporting jockey goggles and a stuffed horse on his head, said. “However, I believe much of it is due to bad luck.” Most racehorses are better cared for than humans.”

Practical Move, Lord Miles, Continuar, and Skinner have all been scratched recently. Practical Move and Skinner suffered fevers, while Continuar’s Japanese trainer said he wasn’t in optimum shape. Joseph’s Derby horse was Lord Miles.

Forte was the 2-year-old champion last year and had a five-race winning streak.

“On the first Saturday in May, you can only be a 3-year-old colt once in your life,” Repole stated. “I feel bad for the horse.”

SOURCE – (AP)