Report: McKinzie to miss Santa Anita Derby showdown

Next Saturday's Santa Anita Derby showdown between top 2018 Kentucky Derby prospects is off.

Speaking from Meydan, site of the Dubai World Cup, trainer Bob Baffert told BloodHorse that McKinzie won't be entered to take on Bolt d'Oro in the April 7 race at Santa Anita Park. Baffert did not disclose what's ailing McKinzie, other than to say it's a hind leg issue and "we're being cautious."

Asked for his reaction to the scratch of McKinzie, Mick Ruis, owner/trainer of Bolt d’Oro, told Santa Anita's publicity staff "no comment."

Private clocker Andy Harrington raved about both horses this week, saying he couldn't "imagine them being more than a length apart at the wire."

“To me," he added, "there’s not a sliver of difference between the two of them.”

But this setback changes things for McKinzie, who going into Saturday was the 7-1 favorite in the Wynn Las Vegas' Kentucky Derby odds. Baffert added in the BloodHorse report that X-rays were clean on McKinzie, who jogged normally after he was evaluated.

Baffert also has training up to their final preps unbeaten Justify (targeting the April 14 Arkansas Derby) and Solomini (bound for the April 7 Wood Memorial). Presumably, Justify could now remain on the West Coast as he steps up from allowance to stakes company.