Grande Scratched from Kentucky Derby 151 Due to Injury

Grande, a horse trained by Todd Pletcher and owned by Repole Stable, has been scratched from the 151st Kentucky Derby due to a foot bruise, leaving the field at 19 horses. This marks the first time since 2003 that Pletcher will not have a Derby starter, despite holding the record for most Derby starters. The decision to scratch Grande was made by state veterinarians, a move that owner Mike Repole questioned given the clean diagnostic tests and recent improvement in the horse's condition. Rodriguez, another contender trained by Bob Baffert, was scratched earlier in the week for a similar injury, with Baeza stepping in as a replacement. The incident has sparked debate around the criteria used by veterinarians for Derby scratches, as Repole expressed confusion over the lack of a clear explanation. Both owners emphasized the priority of horse safety despite their disappointment.