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14 hours ago
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Just a day ahead of the 2025 Kentucky Derby, one less horse is set to participate in the first Triple Crown race of the season.
Grande, who was going to participate in the Derby from the 10th gate, is a late scratch for the event, becoming the second horse to be scratched just days ahead of the race. On Thursday, Rodriguez was also scratched despite drawing into the field.
Entering the race, Grande had participated in three races this year, which includes two wins at Gulfstream Park before the end of February. The horse was not necessarily a favorite for the Derby, but it did have 18-1 odds to win the race as recently as May 1.
Here's what you need to know about why Grande was a late scratch.
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What happened to Grande?
On Friday, Grande's ownership group Repole Stable posted on social media that the horse was being scratched for the Kentucky Derby due to a cracked heel. Repole stated that Grande was battling a "slight cracked heel," but it has been improving and the group was confident Grande would be able to run the race.
However, the vets instead decided to scratch Grande "despite the clean diagnostics."
"We were very confused with all the clean diagnostics and improvement all week, why they rushed to judgment to scratch today," Repole said.
Repole said that its trainers have taken all the precautions into account and felt that Grande should be able to run the Kentucky Derby.
"With all the diagnostics we have taken, the great vets we use, and the experience of Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, we are baffled and confused by what criteria vets are using to determine who scratches, who doesn’t and when…especially when every diagnostic tells us the horse is safe and sound," Repole said.
Unfortunately, the vets have decided to scratch Grande from tomorrow’s Kentucky Derby.
He has been battling a slight cracked heel this week which has been improving. To be cautious, Todd X-rayed on Monday and the horse had clean X-rays. On Wednesday, the state vets asked us if…
What horse is replacing Grande?
No horse will be entering the Kentucky Derby in Grande's place, meaning 19 horses will run the race instead of the initial 20.
On Thursday, Bob Baffert's horse Rodriguez was scratched from the Derby, opening the door for Baeza to enter the race as the first and only alternate. With no other horse remaining on the also-eligible list, this year's Kentucky Derby will take place one horse shorter than usual.
Updated Kentucky Derby post positions
Here's a look at the updated post positions and odds for the Kentucky Derby.
| 1 | Citizen Bull | 16-1 |
| 2 | Neoquos | 53-1 |
| 3 | Final Gambit | 16-1 |
| 4 | – | — |
| 5 | American Promise | 12-1 |
| 6 | Admire Daytona | 13-1 |
| 7 | Luxor Cafe | 13-1 |
| 8 | Journalism | 7-2 |
| 9 | Burnham Square | 17-1 |
| 10 | – | — |
| 11 | Flying Mohawk | 34-1 |
| 12 | East Avenue | 30-1 |
| 13 | Publisher | 27-1 |
| 14 | Tiztastic | 18-1 |
| 15 | Render Judgement | 12-1 |
| 16 | Coal Battle | 27-1 |
| 17 | Sandman | 5-1 |
| 18 | Bill Mott | 10-1 |
| 19 | Chunk Gold | 30-1 |
| 20 | Owen Almighty | 41-1 |
| 21 | Baeza | 42-1 |
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