LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Ethereal Road was scratched from the Kentucky Derby on Friday morning, allowing the first also-eligible, Rich Strike, to get in.
Ethereal Road drew post 20 when posts were drawn on Monday. Rich Strike moves into that spot now. Rattle N Roll, the other also-eligible, is scratched.
Scratch time for both Oaks Day on Friday and Derby Day on Saturday was Friday morning at 9 a.m. Eastern.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Jockey Flavien Prat’s lone victory in the Kentucky Derby didn’t come with the typical fanfare associated with such an achievement.
In 2019, Prat was the rider of Country House, who crossed the wire second, 1 3/4 lengths behind Maximum Security. After a 22-minute inquiry, the stewards disqualified Maximum Security from first for interference and Country House was elevated to first.
“It’s a hard way to win,” Prat said recently on the Churchill Downs backside. “I’m pretty sure it’s not the same feeling as crossing the line first, that’s for sure.”
CHURCHILL DOWNS
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 57
Track: Fast
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The final preparations are just about over for this year’s Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby candidates, although many turned in spirited gallops in cool conditions over a pretty quick racetrack on Thursday at Churchill Downs, where the temperature again held in the mid to upper 50s throughout the morning.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – There’s really nothing normal about this, not at all.
Stuff 20 3-year-old horses into a metal contraption. Surround them with about 150,000 cheering fans, many lunatics fortified for the previous eight hours with alcoholic beverages. Have them run 1 1/4 miles with tiny, brave humans on their backs. Make them turn left a couple of times. See which one emerges first. Then throw roses on that horse’s back.
That’s the Kentucky Derby.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Amr Zedan walked out of Churchill Downs one year ago as the winning owner of the Kentucky Derby, his Medina Spirit having crossed the wire first. He’ll walk back in on Saturday trying to win the Derby with Taiba, as an odyssey that has included extreme highs and crushing lows continues to play out.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The chaos of Kentucky Derby week can be a major gauntlet for young, inexperienced horses - even those who have raced in this country. Summer Is Tomorrow has extra hurdles. Not only has he traversed the globe to get here, but his base is the private Zabeel Stables in the U.A.E., a much more serene setting than the typical American backstretch.
Trainer Bhupat Seemar expresses optimistim that his colt, who has been stabled at Churchill Downs since April 23, can adapt to the challenges.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The expected full field for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby will create a scenario none of the 20 who go into battle have ever seen before, or will again. Young nerves will be tested in such a large field by the jostling for position, tight spaces, and fierce challenges.
The experience is impossible to replicate or fully prepare for, although most youngsters get traffic training in company as part of their basic education. John Ortiz, who will send out his first Derby starter in Barber Road, explained the process of instilling competitiveness and confidence.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It’s been 21 years since a Derby starter was 99-1 on the Churchill toteboard, and it appears unlikely that drought will end this year.
Maybe Rich Strike would reach triple-digit odds if he was to somehow draw into the race as No. 21 before the Friday morning scratch deadline, but otherwise it seems unlikely any of the other 20 starters will reach that threshold. Without Rich Strike, maybe the longest shot will be Summer Is Tomorrow, although Happy Jack, Pioneer of Medina, and Ethereal Road also should be big numbers.
Aside from the plethora of familiar wagering options Saturday, Churchill is offering two new multi-race bets. They are a 50-cent pick five comprising main-track stakes, starting with the Knicks Go (race 6), and a $3-minimum all-3-year-old pick three (Pat Day Mile, American Turf, Derby).
Those are in addition to all the other multi-race wagers, including the 20-cent Derby City jackpot wager (races 7-12) and four 50-cent pick fives, as well as all vertical wagers such as exactas, trifectas, superfectas, and a $1 super high five on the Derby.
