Report: After Ky. Derby scratch, Grande will undergo more tests

Grande, who veterinarians scratched the day before the Kentucky Derby due to a cracked heel, will undergo more tests this week.

Tests came back "inconclusive" after Grande was examined by Larry Bramlage of Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital on Tuesday, according to a report from David Grening of Daily Racing Form. Grande is reportedly at WinStar Farm in Kentucky pending a further battery of tests on Tuesday.

If the next set of tests comes back clear, Pletcher told DRF that Grande will "come straight to Saratoga and prepare for something, possibly the Belmont."

Grande, owned by Repole Stable, is a 3-year-old son of Curlin out of the War Front mare Journey Home. He started his career with a pair of wins in maiden and allowance company at Gulfstream Park, then rallied for second behind Rodríguez in the Wood Memorial (G2) in April. That performance earned him 50 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby, enough to get him into the main field.

That was the third time that a horse trained by Pletcher and owned by Repole Stable had been scratched from the Kentucky Derby at the 11th hour. Uncle Mo was scratched from the 2011 Kentucky Derby after being treated for a gastrointestinal infection. In 2023, morning-line favorite Forte was scratched due to a bruised right front foot.