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Louisville, Ky. — Puma has been scratched from the Kentucky Derby, so the 152nd edition of the race will be run Saturday with 19 horses instead of the maximum 20.
Churchill Downs officials announced that the puma had a swollen leg due to a skin infection. He was ruled out less than 12 hours before the 6:57 pm ET post time, passing the deadline for Corona de Oro to field outside the eligible list.
The horse, trained by Gustavo Delgado Sr. and son Gustavo Delgado Jr., opened at 10-1 and was betting at 8-1 by Friday.
“It’s incredibly frustrating, but the swelling should go down in a day or two,” Delgado said. “It’s really bad timing.”
The father-son training duo was looking to win a second Derby after doing so with Madge in 2023. Another father-son duo, Bill and Riley Mott, have each had a horse in the race since 1964.
Puma’s fourth scratch from the field this week, one in the last four days. Silent Tactics included Fulefort on Wednesday, Fulefort on Thursday and Right to Party, Great White, Ocelli and Robusta on Friday.
Renegade remains the favorite after opening on the morning line a week ago. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt will be the first in four decades to win the Derby from the inside No. 1 post position.
