Rodriguez Scratched from Kentucky Derby
Rodriguez , winner of the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2), has scratched from the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.
On X, Tom Ryan, part of the colt’s ownership group, wrote, “Out of an abundance of caution, we have made a very tough decision to scratch our Derby horse, Rodriguez. He has a small but slightly sensitive foot bruise that will need a few more days. Therefore, we are resetting our plans and will target him for the Preakness.”
The Preakness Stakes (G1) is the second leg of the Triple Crown May 17 at Pimlico Race Course.
Rodriguez was to break from post four with 12-1 odds Saturday for trainer Bob Baffert. He was one of two entries for the trainer who is making his return to the first leg of the Triple Crown since 2021.
As a result of Rodriguez’s scratch, Santa Anita Derby (G1) runner-up Baeza is now part of the field of 20 for the 151st running of the Derby. All of the other entries will shift inward one gate position, placing Baeza on the outside.
Baeza’s breeder and co-owner Robert Clay of Grandview Equine liked his horses chances if he got into the Derby.
“If he does get in the race, I think he’ll be in the top five or six” Clay said. “The oddsmakers will look on him pretty favorably.”
