Six Horses Dead and Five Scratched: Dark Shadow Cast Over 149th Kentucky Derby

On the day of the 149th Kentucky Derby, the early favorite Forte was scratched from the race, making it the fifth horse to be scratched in the days leading up to the event. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission veterinarians were at Pletcher’s barn early Saturday to observe and examine Forte, who galloped on the track and then jogged outside the barn.

The string of horse deaths cast a pall for some Derby goers on a mostly cloudy and warm day. Mike Repole, co-owner of Forte, said in an interview with FanDuel TV, “This is part of racing and it’s the cruel part.” He was suspended by the track and had his Derby horse, Lord Miles, scratched.

The 149th Kentucky Derby was set to be a historic event, but the recent string of horse deaths has cast a dark shadow over the event. The early favorite Forte was scratched from the race, making it the fifth horse to be scratched in the days leading up to the event. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission veterinarians were at Pletcher’s barn early Saturday to observe and examine Forte, but he was ultimately scratched from the race.

Six horses have died at Churchill Downs in recent days, including two trained by Mike Repole, co-owner of Forte. Repole was suspended by the track and had his Derby horse, Lord Miles, scratched. He said in an interview with FanDuel TV, “This is part of racing and it’s the cruel part.”

The 149th Kentucky Derby is still set to take place on Saturday, but the recent string of horse deaths has cast a dark shadow over the event. While the cause of the deaths is still unknown, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission veterinarians are working to ensure the safety of all horses participating in the race.