Kentucky Derby 2023: Skinner is scratched, leaving a field of 19

C R K Racing’s Skinner has been scratched from Kentucky Derby 2023 because of an elevated temperature. The horse was scratched by trainer John Shirreffs, according to Kentucky Horse Racing Commission stewards.

With the defection of Skinner, the Kentucky Derby field is down to 19 starters. Practical Move, Lord Miles and Continuar were scratched on Thursday. All three horses from the also-eligible list drew into the main field due to the Thursday scratches: Cyclone Mischief, Mandarin Hero and King Russell.

The last time four horses were scratched from the Kentucky Derby was 2015 when 22 horses entered the race. However, one of those 2015 scratches was also-eligible entrant Tale of Verve, who did not make it into the main field since the defections of both El Kabeir and International Star came after wagering on the Kentucky Derby had already opened.