Rodriguez scratched from Kentucky Derby with minor foot bruise. Baeza moves into the 20-horse field

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Rodriguez was scratched Thursday from the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, leaving trainer Bob Baffert with one entry in his return to Churchill Downs after serving a three-year suspension.

Tom Ryan of Starlight Racing, one of the colt’s multiple owners, said on X: “Out of an abundance of caution, we have made a very tough decision to scratch our Derby horse, Rodriguez. He has a small but slightly sensitive foot bruise that will need a few more days.”

Ryan said the colt will be pointed toward the Preakness on May 17.

The decision leaves Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith without a mount in what would have been his record-extending 29th Derby start.

Baffert will saddle Citizen Bull, last year’s 2-year-old champion, in pursuit of a record-breaking seventh Derby win. The colt drew the dreaded No. 1 post and will be under pressure to break quickly before the rest of the field comes over on him.

With the defection of Rodriguez, Baeza will make the field of 20 3-year-olds. The colt has been on the grounds since last week training in the hopes he would get in. He is trained by John Shirreffs, who teamed with Smith to win the Derby in 2005 with 50-1 shot Giacomo.

Baeza was runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby last month.

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AP horse racing: https://apnews.com/hub/horse-racing