NEW ODDS: Second Kentucky Derby Horse Scratched, Field Down To 19
With a second thoroughbred scratched from Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, the updated post positions and odds have been released.
Late this week, two horses, Rodriguez and Grande, were scratched heading into the 151st Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs in Louisville. The race is the first leg of the Triple Crown.
On Thursday, Bob Baffert-trained Rodriguez was scratched with a “small but slightly sensitive foot bruise,” according to a tweet from co-owner Tom Ryan. Rodriguez is being replaced by Baeza, the runner-up last month to Santa Anita Derby winner Journalism, the current Kentucky Derby favorite.
On Friday, Repole Stable tweeted that its horse, Grande, owned by Mike Repole and trained by Todd Pletcher, was scratched with “a slight cracked heel.”
With these two scratches, plus the addition of Baeza, the field for Saturday's race is at 19.
According to the tweet from Repole Stable, the scratch “confused” Grande’s team.
“Unfortunately, the vets have decided to scratch Grande from tomorrow’s Kentucky Derby,” the tweet reads. “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 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.
“We were very confused with all the clean diagnostics and improvement all week, why they rushed to judgment to scratch today.
“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. 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,” the Repole Stable tweet concludes.
VIDEO: Aron Wellman Discusses Race Favorite Journalism
2025 Kentucky Derby Post Positions, Odds
Horse, Trainer, Jockey
1. Citizen Bull, Bob Baffert, Martin Garcia, 14-1
2. Neoequos, Saffie Joseph Jr., Luis Saez, 49-1
3. Final Gambit, Brad Cox, Luan Machado, 16-1
4. Rodriguez, Bob Baffert, Mike Smith (Scratched)
5. American Promise, D. Wayne Lukas, Nik Juarez, 12-1
6. Admire Daytona, Yukihiro Kato, Christophe Lemaire, 39-1
7. Luxor Cafe, Noriyuki Hori, Joao Moreira, 12-1
8. Journalism, Michael McCarthy, Umberto Rispoli, 3-1
9. Burnham Square, Ian Wilkes, Brian Hernandez Jr., 16-1
10. Grande, Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez (Scratched)
11. Flying Mohawk, Whit Beckman, Joe Ramos, 33-1
12. East Avenue, Brendan Walsh, Manny Franco, 34-1
13. Publisher, Steve Asmussen, Irad Ortiz Jr., 28-1
14. Tiztastic, Steve Asmussen, Joel Rosario, 18-1
15. Render Judgment, Kenny McPeek, Julien Leparoux, 13-1
16. Coal Battle, Lonnie Briley, Juan Vargas, 27-1
17. Sandman, Mark Casse, Jose Ortiz, 5-1
18. Sovereignty, Bill Mott, Junior Alvarado, 9-1
19. Chunk of Gold, Ethan West, Jareth Loveberry, 29-1
20. Owen Almighty, Brian Lynch, Javier Castellano, 39-1
21. Baeza, John Shirreffs, Flavien Prat, 21-1
Source: The Courier-Journal
How To Watch
- When: Saturday, May 3
- Coverage starts: 2:30 p.m. ET
- Post time: 6:57 p.m. ET
- Where: Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky)
- Cable TV: NBC, USA Network
- Streaming: Fubo, Peacock
Source: USA Today
2025 Triple Crown Schedule
The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown.
- The Kentucky Derby: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky, May 3
- The Preakness Stakes: Pimlico, Baltimore, Maryland, May 17
- The Belmont Stakes: Saratoga*, New York, June 7
*Note: This race is being held in Saratoga as work continues on a $550 million upgrade at Belmont Park in Elmont on Long Island, just east of New York City.
For more on Saturday’s 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, including “luckiest” post positions, click here.
Get more information on Kentucky Derby betting from Gambling.com.
