Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) runner-up Grande has been scratched from the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs. The Todd Pletcher-trained 3-year-old colt did not train May 2 and has been dealing with a cracked heel, according to his owner, Mike Repole of Repole Stable.
Regulatory veterinarians visited Pletcher's barn Friday morning after training hours and had a group discussion with the Hall of Fame trainer, shortly after which Repole and Churchill Downs both announced a formal scratch. Repole posted to X that "the vets have decided to scratch Grande."
This marks the third disappointing Derby scratch for Repole, one of the sport's most successful owners, after Uncle Mo and Forte were scratched in 2011 and 2023, respectively. Those two horses were likely to have been the favorites; Grande, who had won his first two starts before his second in the Wood Memorial, was a 20-1 shot to win the 1 1/4-mile first leg of the Triple Crown.
Other than to confirm the horse did not train Friday morning, Pletcher declined comment beyond Repole's statement. The Curlin colt had otherwise trained regularly since arriving from Keeneland last week, where he had posted his final workout for the Kentucky Derby.
The scratch of Grande means Pletcher will not have a starter in the Run for the Roses for the first time since 2003. The two-time Derby winner has run 65 horses in the Derby, most of any trainer in history.
The scratch of Grande leaves a Derby field of 19. Wood Memorial winner, Rodriguez, was scratched May 1, allowing also-eligible Baeza to draw into the race.
Repole expressed frustration in his post, saying the Grande's heel had been improving.
"To be cautious, Todd X-rayed on Monday and the horse had clean X-rays," Repole posted Friday. "On Wednesday, the state vets asked us if we could do a PET scan, and Grande had that yesterday and it was also clean. ...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."
In recent years, scratches have been common in the Derby, Breeders' Cup, and other major racing events amid tight veterinary scrutiny in the interest of equine safety.
All horses that had been drawn outside Grande, who had secured post 10, will now come in one position.
