Rodriguez Scratched From Kentucky Derby, Replaced by Baeza

A late scratch in the field of 20 thoroughbreds for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby means John Shirreffs-trained Baeza will enter the race at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

Baez replaces Rodriguez, a Bob Baffert-trained horse scratched because of a “small but slightly sensitive foot bruise,” according to a tweet from Rodriguez co-owner Tom Ryan late Thursday, USA Today reported.

As the newspaper noted, Baeza, half-brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage, “finished second behind Kentucky Derby favorite Journalism in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby last month, but didn't receive enough points to initially qualify for this year's Run for the Roses due to the size of the field at Santa Anita.”

“Baeza instead spent this week at Churchill Downs as the top of the also-eligible list for the 20-horse field, hoping for a development like the one announced Thursday,” according to USA Today.

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