Why Panadol and Rombauer are skipping Kentucky Derby

The connections of two potential Kentucky Derby contenders have decided to bypass the race.

One of those is Panadol, who would have needed to fly in from Dubai in the next several days in order to clear quarantine in time for the Run for the Roses, Churchill Downs said in a press release Thursday.

The son of Flatter, who was 14th on the Derby leaderboard with 40 points, earned his eligibility with a second-place trip in the UAE Derby on March 27.

His trainer, Salem Bin Ghadayer, previously told Horse Racing Planet in the U.K. that he was leaning “70 percent” in favor of going to the Derby.

In addition, Rombauer, who was 20th on the points leaderboard, will point toward the Preakness and Belmont instead of the Derby, according to a social media post from owner John Fradkin.

The Twirling Candy colt, trained by Michael McCarthy, had earned his 34 Derby points with a second place finish in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1), a win in the El Camino Real Derby and a fourth place effort in the Blue Grass.

Panadol and Rombauer joins several other Derby-eligible horses in declining the invitation, including Rebel’s Romance, Weyburn, Proxy, Drain the Clock and Jackie’s Warrior.

According to the online Derby leaderboard, the defections clear the way for Hidden Stash and Dream Shake to join the field. Trained by Vicki Oliver, Hidden Stash finished fourth in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland on April 3.

Previously, the Constitution colt finished second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) and third in the Sam F. Davis (G3). He earned 32 points for his efforts.

The colt last worked on Wednesday at Keeneland, going four furlongs in 47.8.

Dream Shake, trained by Peter Eurton, finished third in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 3. He previously finished third in the San Felipe (G1). The son of Twirling Candy has 30 Kentucky Derby points.