LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It was a tough morning for jockey Tyler Gaffalione, who saw his original mounts for the Kentucky Derby (Fulleffort) and Kentucky Oaks (Bella Ballerina) scratch due to injury. 

Gaffalione wasn’t without a mount in the Derby for very long. 

Trainer Whit Beckman said Thursday afternoon that he will put Gaffalione on Ocelli in the Derby. Gaffalione was named to ride Nycon in the Oaks before she was scratched Friday morning. Both of Beckman’s horses had drawn into their respective races from the also-eligible list. Joe Ramos was previously named on Ocelli. 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For many, attending the Kentucky Derby is a bucket-list experience. That’s true for Ryan Becker, who is battling a rare autoimmune condition. Becker not only gets to check the Derby off on Saturday, but will experience it as a minority shareholder in a horse in one of the stakes on the undercard.

Donna Herrick, whose family raced such graded stakes winners as Magnum, Medici Code, and Nuclear Debate, died on April 15 at the age of 97, her family announced earlier this month.

Herrick Racing, operated by Bill and Donna Herrick, had a longtime presence in Southern California racing.

Magnum, an Argentine-bred gelding, was second in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap in 2006 and later won the Grade 2 San Antonio Handicap in 2009 under the direction of trainer Darrell Vienna.

Since late December, trainer Jonathan Thomas has won 10 races at Santa Anita, including four stakes.

The 4-year-old gelding Hiding in Honduras can add to that list when he starts in the longest race of his brief career in Saturday’s Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita.

The $250,000 Super Derby will highlight the Louisiana Downs meet that opens on Saturday with an increase in purses and a new summer break. The 55-date season runs through Sept. 30.

“We’re excited,” said Roxanne Tanner, director of racing for Louisiana Downs. “Any time you kick off a race meet, there’s always a special kind of enthusiasm in the air. We’re always excited to see our Thoroughbred horsemen come back from their winter destinations.”

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Silent Tactic, winner of the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes and runner-up to Renegade in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, will scratch from the Kentucky Derby due to a bruised foot, trainer Mark Casse said Wednesday.

Silent Tactic’s defection moves Great White into the body of the Kentucky Derby.

Casse said the issue is with Silent Tactic’s left front foot.