Bob Baffert-trained horse scratched from Kentucky Derby ahead of Hall of Famer's return to Churchill Downs

Legendary trainer Bob Baffert sits down with Janice Dean to discuss his return to Churchill Downs after a three-year suspension.

The field for the 151st edition of the Kentucky Derby was reduced to 19 by Friday after two horses were scratched with potential complications, including one colt trained by legendary trainer Bob Baffert. 

Rodriguez, the Wood Memorial winner, was scratched Thursday due to a bruised foot and will instead be sidelined until the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes on May 17. 

Kentucky Derby entrant Rodriguez works out at Churchill Downs on Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky.  (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

"Out of an abundance of caution, we have made a very tough decision to scratch our Derby horse, Rodriguez," Tom Ryan of Starlight Racing, one of the colt's multiple owners, confirmed in a post on X.  

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"He has a small but slightly sensitive foot bruise that will need a few more days. Therefore, we are resetting our plans and will target him for the Preakness." 

Rodriguez was one of two horses trained by Baffert competing in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. The Hall of Fame trainer is returning to Churchill Downs for the first time since Medina Spirit’s Kentucky Derby victory in 2021, a title that was later stripped because of a positive drug test resulting in a three-year suspension for Baffert. 

Trainer Bob Baffert raises the trophy after winning the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby with Medina Spirit, his seventh career Kentucky Derby win, at Churchill Downs on May 1, 2021, in Louisville, Kentucky.  (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

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