Hold those bets on The Puma! Hurry and change your exactas, trifectas, superfectas! Time to rethink your Kentucky Derby betting strategy.
The Puma, considered among the top contenders to win the Kentucky Derby (G1), was scratched hours before Saturday’s race due to a minor skin infection on one of his legs.
“It’s incredibly disappointing but the swelling should go down within a day or two,” said trainer Gustavo Delgado, who won the Derby two years ago with Mage. “It’s just really bad timing.”
The fourth scratch from the 20-horse field this week leaves the Derby with 19 runners since it’s too late for another also-eligible to draw in.
The Puma, a son of Essential Quality, was set at morning line odds of 10-1, and he was handled by many of the same connections that sent Mage to the Derby winner’s circle, including Hall of Fame rider Javier Castellano.
The colt is co-owned by JR Ranch, High Step Racing, TCC Stables, and Bruce Zoldan.
The Puma won the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and then finished a close second to Commandment in Florida Derby (G1) on March 28, where he led but was edged at the wire.
The Puma is the fourth horse to scratch from the Derby since last Saturday’s draw. The others were Silent Tactic, Fulleffort and Ready to Party. Three also-eligibles moved into the field: Great White, Ocelli and Robusta.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
