Kentucky Derby favorite Forte scratched, field down to 18

The morning-line favorite has been scratched just hours before the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby.

Forte, who opened as the 3-1 favorite last week and sat comfortably at 4-1 this morning, will not run this evening. It was a decision made by Kentucky Horse Racing Commission veterinarian Nick Smith, the popular horse’s owner Mike Repole announced following a Saturday morning workout.

The 2-year-old horse had won five straight races, headlined by the Florida Derby crown. Forte becomes the fifth horse to scratch for the Derby in the last three days, joining Practical Move, Lord Miles, Continuar and Skinner.

As of this morning, only 18 horses remain in the field, now the smallest since the 2020 Kentucky Derby, a 15-race field in the September race.

The updated odds leading up to this evening’s race:

• Tapit Trice (5-1)
• Angel of Empire (8-1)
• Derma Sotogake (10-1)
• Kingsbarn (12-1)
• Two Phil’s (12-1)
• Mage (15-1)
• Verifying (15-1)
• Confidence Game (20-1)
• Mandarin Hero (20-1)
• Cyclone Mischief (30-1)
• Disarm (30-1)
• Hit Show (30-1)
• Rocket Can (30-1)
• Jace’s Road (50-1)
• King Russell (50-1)
• Raise Cain (50-1)
• Sun Thunder (50-1)
• Reincarnate (50-1)

Post time is scheduled for 6:57 p.m. ET. Going to be a wild one today at Churchill Downs.

Who are you betting on?