Rodriguez Scratched, Baeza Enters Kentucky Derby Field

Just 48 hours before the Run for the Roses, the Kentucky Derby field received a significant shake-up. There’s a new contender to consider.

Rodriguez, the front-running winner of the Wood Memorial, will not race in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. Tom Ryan, a member of Rodriguez’s ownership group, announced the three-year-old is not healthy enough to race at Churchill Downs this weekend.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have made a very tough decision to scratch our Derby horse, Rodriguez,” Ryan shared on social media. “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.”

Rodriguez was 12-1 choice on the morning line out of the No. 4 post. He’s the second defection this year from a Bob Baffert horse. Madaket Road opted for the Pat Day Mile, leaving only Citizen Bull left in the No. 1 post for the Hall of Fame trainer, who’s returning to Churchill Downs on Derby weekend for the first time in three years.

The loss of Rodriguez paves the way for Baeza to enter the starting gate. The Santa Anita Derby Runner-Up posted one of the fastest speed figures of any contender this year, but was initially left out due to a change in the qualifying points system. You might have to change how you plan to play the Derby with Baeza in the field.

This may not be our last scratch before the horses reach the starting gate at Churchill Downs. Render Judgment has a quarter crack in its left front hoof. It’s receiving therapy and is considered probable for the race.

A lifetime dream to enter a horse into the Kentucky Derby can change in an instant. Horse racing is not for the faint of heart.