LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A horse was officially scratched from the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby Tuesday, just five days away from the historic race.
Encino is 3-1-0 in four career starts, but will not be running Saturday. His trainer, Louisville-native and Iroquois High School alumni Brad Cox, told Churchill Downs officials Encino would not be competing.
Cox said the colt had been checked out by a veterinarian in Lexington and was diagnosed with a soft tissue strain. Encino will require rest and time to heal.
Epic Ride, trained by John Ennis, will take Encino's place at the Kentucky Derby, according to Churchill Downs officials. Epic Ride is 2-2-1 in five career starts.
Encino had the ninth-best odds to win the Derby at 20-1 before being scratched. Epic Ride's odds are 50-1.
We will update this story with more information as we learn more.
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