El Kabeir scratched from Kentucky Derby; field now 19
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) El Kabeir has been scratched from the Kentucky Derby after missing a morning gallop due to a bruised left front foot.
With El Kabeir out of Saturday's race, the Derby field is now at 19.
Trained by John Terranova, El Kabeir missed a morning gallop and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission was notified of the decision to withdraw Friday afternoon. The scratch leaves three-time Derby winner Calvin Borel without a ride.
El Kabeir was in the No. 7 post. He is owned by Ahmed Zayat, leaving him with two Derby starters, morning-line favorite American Pharoah and long shot Mr. Z.
The scratch means that the No. 1 post will be open, and horses will move over a spot as far as No. 7. The posts for the rest of the field remain the same.