LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Trainer Brad Cox’s Kentucky Derby contingent was reduced by one Sunday morning when Caddo River was withdrawn from Derby consideration. Winner of the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn and most recently second there in the Arkansas Derby, Caddo River breezed here at Churchill on Friday but was found Saturday afternoon to have an elevated temperature, Cox said. On Sunday morning, Caddo River’s bloodwork came back showing signs of an infection and the decision was made to skip the Derby. John Ed Anthony’s Shortleaf Stable owns Caddo River, a son of Hard Spun. Cox wasn’t sure when and where Caddo River would next race, but downplayed the chances Caddo River might be aimed at the Preakness Stakes. Cox still trains two horse who will be entered in the Derby, including the presumed favorite, Essential Quality, who emerged in good order from his Saturday breeze, Cox said, and merely walked the shedrow Sunday morning. So, too, did Mandaloun, who also worked Saturday, with both horses scheduled to jog during their Monday-morning training session. Unbeaten champion Essential Quality comes off a win in the Blue Grass Stakes, while Risen Star Stakes-winner Mandaloun disappointed in his final Derby prep, finishing sixth in the Louisiana Derby. With Caddo River out of the Derby, that opens a spot in the race for Brooklyn Strong, last year’s Grade 2 Remsen winner who finished fifth in the Wood Memorial in his only start at 3. Brooklyn Strong, who is based at Parx, is scheduled to work Monday morning and, if all goes well, he will leave by van at 6 p.m. Monday with an early Tuesday morning arrival at Churchill Downs. Horses entered in the Kentucky Derby are required to be on the grounds by 11 a.m. Tuesday. “If the work is how I like tomorrow we’re coming,” Danny Velazquez, the trainer of Brooklyn Strong, said. Umberto Rispoli has been lined up to ride Brooklyn Strong, owner Mark Schwartz said. In another rider development, Corey Lanerie has been named to ride Sainthood, trainer Todd Pletcher said. Southern California-based runners Hot Rod Charlie and Rock Your World were expected to arrive from Southern California on Sunday afternoon. As of Sunday, the expected field, with riders, is: Essential Quality (Luis Saez), Hot Rod Charlie (Flavien Prat), Super Stock (Ricardo Santana Jr.), Like the King (Drayden Van Dyke), Known Agenda (Irad Ortiz Jr.), Rock Your World (Joel Rosario), Bourbonic (Kendrick Carmouche), Medina Spirit (John Velazquez), Midnight Bourbon (Mike Smith), Mandaloun (Florent Geroux), Highly Motivated (Javier Castellano), Helium (Julien Leparoux), Soup and Sandwich (Tyler Gaffalione), Dynamic One (Jose Ortiz),  Sainthood (Corey Lanerie), Hidden Stash (Rafael Bejarano), O Besos (Marcelino Pedroza), King Fury (Brian Hernandez Jr.), Keepmeinmind (David Cohen), and Brooklyn Strong (Umberto Rispoli). - additional reporting by David Grening :: DRF's Kenucky Derby Headquarters: Contenders, latest news, past performances, analysis, and more