Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner and Florida Derby (G1) runner-up The Puma has been scratched from the May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs due to what his connections say is some leg swelling caused by a skin infection.
Assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr., son of trainer Gustavo Delgado Sr., said the decision was an easy one.
"It's bad timing, but we've got to do what's right for him," Delgado Jr. said. "It's disappointing for all of us, naturally. But at the same time, there's not another option we could have. It's the right thing for him, and of course we're not going to put him in a position where it's not the right thing for him. It's an easy decision, it's not difficult. It's not a fine-line type of thing.
Delgado Jr. said that The Puma was fine when he and his father left the barn May 1. When they arrived at Churchill Downs Saturday morning, they found the horse had swelling in his leg.
"We think the primary cause was a minor scratch that he's got," Delgado Jr. said. "He then developed an irritation, and then it gets an infection really quick. With horses, it's really quick. In two or three hours it gets swollen."
The infection required antibiotics, which then automatically made him a scratch as he would not be allowed to compete on the medication. Although officially listed as a vet scratch, placing him on the veterinarian's list, Delgado Jr. said he and his father were in "100%" agreement with the decision.
"They didn't even have to say, we knew there was a problem here that developed overnight," Delgado Jr. said. "We can't race the horse like this."
The Puma is required to spend at least 14 days on the vet's list before being eligible for removal should he breeze satisfactorily for a regulatory veterinarian. Even though Delgado Jr. said the antibiotics should clear up the infection in two or three days, the vet's list requirements would make him ineligible to compete May 16 in the Preakness Stakes (G1).
However, Delgado Jr. said even if the Preakness was in play, they'd rather let the horse regroup and tell them when he's ready. In order to make the Derby, The Puma kept a busy schedule racing four times between Jan. 10 and March 28.
"Right now, it's about The Puma. He needs to be good, in good spirits, in good health," Delgado Jr. said. "That's the priority right now. He has done so much for us up until now. We're going to look after him like we always do."
The Puma, who is typically based in Florida, will stay at Churchill Downs for at least a week while they monitor his recovery and figure out where they want to send him next.
Disappointment would be an understatement for the connections as The Puma was considered one of the top choices in this year's Derby. After the Kentucky Oaks (G1) Friday night, The Puma was the 8-1 fifth choice. All wagers on The Puma will be refunded.
"All week, this horse was training lights out," Delgado Jr. said. "He was going through a really good momentum. That's the disappointing part, but sometimes these things happen."
With his scratch coming past the window for also-eligibles to draw into the race, the Derby's last remaining alternate Corona de Oro, does not draw into the field. So, 19 horses and not the capacity field size of 20 3-year-olds is now scheduled to go to post with all horses moving inward one spot in the starting gate.
Horses preparing for the Derby and other major races have been under close regulatory veterinary scrutiny. Three longshots, who initially did not have sufficient qualifying points to make the race, gained berths in the race as also-eligibles.
