Bob Baffert’s top Kentucky Derby contender has been scratched from the race

Bob Baffert’s top Kentucky Derby contender is out of the race.

Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez was scratched from the Derby on Thursday evening due to a foot bruise. The move was announced by co-owner Tom Ryan.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have made a very tough decision to scratch our Derby horse, Rodriguez,” Ryan said. “He has a small but slightly sensitive foot bruise that will need a few more days. Therefore, we are resetting our plans and will target him for the Preakness.”

The Preakness Stakes will be run May 17 at Pimlico Race Course.

Rodriguez, who was 12-1 on the morning line for Saturday’s race at Churchill Downs, had been bet down to 8-1 in the early wagering by the time he scratched Thursday, making him the third betting choice behind only race favorite Journalism and Arkansas Derby winner Sandman.

He was set to be ridden Saturday by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith.

Baffert, who is tied for the all-time record with six Kentucky Derby victories, brought Rodriguez to Louisville as his best hope for a seventh. He was clearly optimistic about the colt’s chances, using the word “amazing” to describe his final workout Sunday at Churchill.

“Right over there, on our shedrow rail, that’s where the roses are going to hang,” Baffert said from his barn that day.

The Hall of Fame trainer had a record seventh Derby victory stripped away following a medication positive by race winner Medina Spirit in 2021, leading to a Churchill Downs suspension of more than three years.

This will be Baffert’s first Derby since that suspension was lifted.

With Rodriguez out of the race, Santa Anita Derby runner-up Baeza drew in to complete the 20-horse field. Baeza has just four career starts but finished within a length of Journalism in the Santa Anita Derby last month, the closest any competitor has come to the Kentucky Derby favorite in his four victories.

Baffert still has one colt in Saturday’s field.

Citizen Bull, the reigning 2-year-old champion, will break from post position 1 in the Derby and was a 20-1 shot on the morning line. He finished in fourth place, nearly 10 lengths behind Journalism, in the Santa Anita Derby in his most recent start.

On Friday morning, Grande was also scratched, reducing the Derby field to 19.

This story was originally published May 1, 2025 at 5:51 PM.

Ben Roberts

Lexington Herald-Leader

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Ben Roberts is the University of Kentucky men’s basketball beat writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He has previously specialized in UK basketball recruiting coverage and created and maintained the Next Cats blog. He is a Franklin County native and first joined the Herald-Leader in 2006. Support my work with a digital subscription