Churchill Downs officials confirmed Saturday morning that The Puma has been scratched from the Kentucky Derby.
“We discovered some swelling in his leg due to a skin infection,” trainer Gustavo Delgado said. “It’s incredibly disappointing, but the swelling should go down within a day or two. It’s just really bad timing.
Assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr. said the condition was discovered Saturday morning and called it “an easy decision” to scratch.
“It’s not something that’s a fine line,” he said. “Painful but easy. … Long-term he’s going to be fine. He just needs antibiotics. I’m sure in two or three days he’s going to be fine.”
Delgado Jr. said The Puma will stay at Churchill Downs for a week and likely will not enter the Preakness on May 16 at Laurel Park.
The Puma is 1-2-1 in four career starts and has earned $442,280. He finished second in the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28 at Gulfstream Park.
“He’s done so much for us up until now,” Delgado Jr. said. “So we’re just going to look after him like we always do.”
The Puma’s defection means 19 horses are set to enter the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby. Post time is set for 6:57 p.m. Saturday.
The Puma is the fifth horse to be scratched from the Derby since last Saturday’s draw, joining Right to Party, Silent Tactic, Fulleffort and Corona de Oro.
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; [email protected]. Follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.
