Hozier declared out of Kentucky Derby
Hozier was declared out of the Kentucky Derby as the field continues to shift with one week remaining before the May 1 classic.
Hozier, who is trained by Bob Baffert for the multi-pronged partnership of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Golconda Stable, Siena Farm, and Robert Masterson, had been second in the Rebel Stakes, but sixth in the Arkansas Derby. He had worked six furlongs in "lackluster" fashion on Friday morning at Churchill Downs, in the eyes of Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch.
According to Welsch's Clocker Report, Hozier "went six furlongs from the five-eighths in very average fashion, 37.72 and 1:02.94 under shoving pressure to the wire before getting a couple of right-hand sticks to complete the move into the turn in 1:16.05."
With the defection of Hozier, which was first reported by Blood-Horse, just hours after the connections of Dream Shake said they would pass on the Derby for the Grade 3 Pat Day Mile on the undercard, Lexington Stakes winner King Fury is now the 20th horse on the Derby qualifying points leaderboard, guaranteed a spot in the field. After him, in order on the preference list, are Keepmeinmind and Starrininmydreams.
Derby entries will be taken and post positions drawn Tuesday. Twenty horses may start. As many as four also-eligibles may be listed on the program at entry time and would have until scratch time next Friday morning to draw in.