Forte has been scratched from Kentucky Derby

After trainer Todd Pletcher and lead owner Mike Repole pleaded their case with state veterinarian Nick Smith on Saturday morning, betting favorite Forte was scratched dramatically from Kentucky Derby 2023 because of an injured right-front foot.

“There was a bruise,” Repole told reporters outside the Pletcher barn at Churchill Downs. “If this race was on Tuesday, he’d be running. If this race was next Saturday, he’d be running.”

Video: See, hear what Repole says about scratch of Forte.

The decision by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission followed a gallop by Forte minutes earlier on the main track during which he looked normal but was wearing a new, three-quarter shoe on his tender foot. Pletcher typically limits his race-day training to shed-row walks for his horses, so having Forte go out on the track was unusual.

There had been a lot of backstretch gossip and social-media conjecture about Forte, particularly after he was seen in a video taking an awkward step during a Thursday morning gallop. Pletcher insisted Friday he looked fine, especially after a training run that morning.

“I think the (veterinarians) were overly cautious, but I have to understand and respect the fact that they’re overly cautious,” Repole said. “I just would like to be more consistent with the process of how we do things, Kentucky vs. everyone, and the different rules and regulations and different medications and different vets. This horse might have not run in five states today, and he might have run in six states today.”

A four-time Grade 1 winner, Forte carried odds of 4-1 in the Churchill Downs pari-mutuel win pool at the time he was scratched. He also was the futures favorite in Las Vegas betting ever since he won the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

It was the first time a Derby betting favorite was scratched on race day since I Want Revenge was diagnosed with a tender left-front ankle 2009, the year Mine That Bird scored a 50-1 upset.

Forte’s exit was all too familiar for Repole. His colt Uncle Mo, the second choice on the morning line, was scratched because of a stomach illness on the eve of the 2011 Derby, which would be won by Animal Kingdom.

“It’s almost déjà vu all over again,” Repole said.

Forte became the fifth horse who had been entered in the Derby to be scratched, joining Practical Move, Continuar, Lord Miles and Skinner.

Andrew Capone contributed to reporting for this story.