The 2025 Kentucky Derby field was narrowed to 19 horses after Grande was scratched from Saturday’s race.
Churchill Downs said a foot bruise was the reason for Grande’s withdrawal.
Grande owner Mike Repole said the horse was dealing with a slightly cracked heel this week, but the condition was improving, and that veterinarians made the final decision to pull the horse. Grande, who had 20-1 odds to win the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, is trained by Todd Pletcher and was to be ridden by John Velazquez.
“We were very confused with all the clean diagnostics and improvement all week, why they rushed to judgment to scratch today,” Repole said on social media. “With the race being tomorrow, and Baeza already having drawn into the race, we are also shocked and confused why this decision was made now. We were given no real explanation why Grande was scratched 36 hours before the race.
A bruised foot was also the cause of Rodriguez, trained by Bob Baffert, to be scratched from the race.