By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
Kentucky Derby favorite Forte has been scratched. It is the fifth horse that has been scratched, who were expected to compete in the event.
Before being scratched, Forte was a 3-1 morning line favorite for one of the biggest races in horse racing.
Jockey Irad Ortíz Jr. was initially scheduled to board Forte. Instead, he will now board Cyclone Mischief.
Ortíz Jr. has over 3,000 career wins. However, he only has two wins in a Triple Crown event. At this time, he has not won a Kentucky Derby event.
He has won the Belmont Stakes in New York twice. In 2016, he rode Creator to the win.
Then, last year, in the final event of the Triple Crown, he rode Mo Donegal to the win.
Now, with Forte out, there will be 18 horses in the field barring another scratch. Five horses have already scratched this week.
The other horses out of the marquee event were Practical Move, Lord Miles, Continuar, and Skinner.
It is the first time since 1936 that there have been this many scratches. In 2020 when the Kentucky Derby was moved from its first weekend in May date to September, there were 15 horses in the event.
There are now two favorites for the fastest two minutes in sports. Tapit Trice and Angel of Empire are now considered the favorites with 9-2 odds.
With over six hours left before the race, the favorite could change.
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