Patrons arriving May 3 at Churchill Downs for the 151st Kentucky Derby (G1) did so with ponchos in tow along with their betting acumen, as steady rain soaked the Louisville, Ky., area throughout the morning hours.
Precipitation is forecast to continue to fall through much of the day. A wet main track seems likely when the first leg of the Triple Crown goes to post at 6:57 p.m. ET. Temperatures will be in the low 60s.
As of 8:30 a.m., Churchill officials reported that the main track had remained sealed during morning training with the maintenance crew monitoring the forecast. The track is a quick-drying surface, which could give the track a chance at becoming fast or "good" if the rain subsides for a period of hours in the afternoon.
The main track is rated as sloppy for the opener. The turf is "good."
A couple of Kentucky Derby contenders stretched their legs during morning training, but no further scratches were announced for the $5 million classic. Rodriguez and Grande were previously declared out of the race, allowing for Santa Anita Derby (G1) runner-up Baeza to draw in and leaving a field of 19 set to go to post.
Luis Saez has picked up the ride on Neoequos with Flavien Prat on Baeza.
Today's scratches:
Race 1: No. 1 Knicks Code, No. 7 Money Man
Race 3: No. 10 Strummin
Race 4: No. 5 Keen Cat, No. 10 Implementation
Race 5: No. 8 Poolside With Slim, No. 10 Special Wan
Race 7: No. 3 Nobals, No. 4 One Timer
Race 9: No. 8 Charlie's To Blame, No. 16 Spirit Rags, No. 17 A.P. Kid, No. 18 Discreet Dancer
Race 10: No. 4 Awesome Treat, No. 5. Haulin Ice, No. 10 Dorth Vader, No. 13 My Mane Squeeze, No. 14 Taxed, No. 15 Grand Job
Race 11: No. 5 Idratherbeblessed, No. 11. Brilliant Berti
Race 12: No. 4 Rodriguez, No. 10 Grande
Race 13: No. 2 Dapper Moon, No. 5. Tiny Lake, No. 6 Classic Time, No. 8 Touchy, No. 15 Haunted Flame, No. 16 Terrapin Station
Race 14: No. 1 Into Thin Air, No. 6. Arthur Jr, No. 9 Delta Tau Chi, No. 11 Shallus
