Kentucky Derby 2024: Encino is scratched, Epic Ride joins field

Encino, one of three Brad Cox entries in Kentucky Derby 2024, was scratched from the race Tuesday. That clears the way for Epic Ride to join the field.

Encino was 3-for-3 this year and qualified for the Derby with wins in the Grade 3 Lexington and the John Battaglia Memorial. He was 20-1 on the morning line and was scheduled to be ridden Saturday by Axel Concepcion.

Cox told Daily Racing Form that Encino had a soft-tissue strain in his right front leg.

Cox’s remaining entries are Catching Freedom and Just a Touch.

Epic Ride is a Blame colt trained by John Ennis. He qualified to run for the roses with a third-place finish in the Blue Grass (G1) and a second in the Battaglia. The Blue Grass was his only career start on dirt after four starts on synthetic at Turfway Park. In his most recent work, he breezed four furlongs in 51.2 seconds at The Thoroughbred Center on Friday.

Epic Ride was 30-1 on the morning line and lengthened to 70-1 early Tuesday afternoon. Adam Beschizza has the mount.