Kentucky Derby: Jaycito declared from race

Making official what had seemed obvious for more than a week, trainer Bob Baffert on Sunday announced that Jaycito would not make this year's Kentucky Derby on May 7, owing to a foot bruise that has prevented the colt from working for more than three weeks.

"You've got the super-duper official word," Baffert said Sunday morning from his home near Santa Anita.

KENTUCKY DERBY NEWS: Track all the 3-year-olds on the Triple Crown trail

Jaycito had run just once this year, finishing second in the San Felipe Stakes on March 12. His defection helps those below him on the graded stakes earnings list, since Jaycito had $250,000 in graded stakes earnings, enough to have put him into the expected 20-horse Derby field.

Owing to his inactivity, Jaycito was removed this past week from Daily Racing Form's Derby Watch top 20 list, so Sunday's announcement was not a surprise.

Baffert still has Midnight Interlude, the Santa Anita Derby winner, as a definite Kentucky Derby starter. He said The Factor, who ran poorly in the Arkansas Derby last weekend, was still possible for the race. Baffert was scheduled to fly to Kentucky on Sunday night, and said he would evaluate The Factor after seeing him there.

Both Midnight Interlude and The Factor are at Churchill Downs. Jaycito is at Santa Anita.

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