Kentucky Derby: Grande is next in as Heart of Honor drops out

HRN staff
Photo: Ryan Thompson / Gulfstream Park

Heart of Honor, who earned an invitation to Kentucky Derby 2025 with his close second in the Grade 2 UAE Derby, will not make the trip to Churchill Downs.

Thoroughbred Daily News reported that trainer Jamie Osborne said the turnaround is too quick for the Honor A. P. colt.

Osborne said the Preakness is a possibility and, if that went well, the Belmont Stakes.

Heart of Honor's defection clears the way for Grande to run for the roses. The Curlin colt won his first two starts before stepping up to stakes company and finishing second to Rodriguez in the Wood Memorial (G2).

With the current standings, Grande would be the second entry for Todd Pletcher, who also trains River Thames, 15th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. Unraced as a 2-year-old, the son of Maclean's Music won his first two starts then was second by a neck to Sovereignty in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and third in the Blue Grass (G1).

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