McPeek Criticizes Right to Party Vet Scratch; Robusta Draws Into Field
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Right to Party, runner‑up in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial, was scratched from Saturday’s Kentucky Derbybecause of lameness in his right foreleg, opening a place for Robusta to enter the 20‑horse field.
Right to Party became the third scratchsince entries were taken on April 25, following Silent Tactic (bruised foot) and Fulleffort (chip in hind ankle). Those removals allowed Great White and Ocelli to move into the starting lineup from the also‑eligible list. By 9 a.m. Friday, no additional withdrawals were announced, meaning Corona de Oro, the fourth also‑eligible, was officially scratched.
McPeek Frustrated Over Veterinary Decision
Trainer Kenny McPeek said regulatory veterinarians, who examine Derby horses throughout the week, reported that Right to Party was lame in his right front leg. McPeek ordered a bone scan, and citing the results, said,
“This finding is most likely not associated with an increased risk for breakdown.”
McPeek expressed frustration with the decision.
“Not all horses are clean joggers. Maybe they’ll run the Kentucky Derby [in a jog] 50 years from now,” he said. “The horse is a grinder; he grinds it out. He’s not a breakdown candidate. He’s a short‑pasterned horse with plenty of bone and no warm spot on his legs. I just think we’re in the age of analysis paralysis.”
The trainer, who captured both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby in the same 24‑hour stretch two years ago, voiced mounting concern over regulatory decisions he believes are overly cautious.
“I don’t know how to do this anymore,” McPeek said. “Under this climate, I don’t know how to do it. I can’t wait to retire. I would quit today and feel okay about it. It’s not any fun anymore.”
When asked why he continues to train, McPeek cited loyalty to his team and clients.
“I got all these great people who work for me, I got great clients. I’m at the peak of my career, and dealing with all this is misery,” he said. “This just makes you want to say ‘bye.’ Look at the guys who have quit in front of me — that’s why. They don’t need all this. Trust us or don’t trust us.”
McPeek argued that Kentucky’s current regulatory approach stands apart from other racing jurisdictions.
“It’s the state of Kentucky that doesn’t trust us,” he said. “We’re not dealing with this anywhere else — not in New York, Arkansas, Indiana, Florida. Maybe they’re dealing with it in California, but they’ve lost their mind here.”
Regulatory Response
Following the scratch, Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming (KHRG)issued a statement emphasizing its stewardship of equine safety but did not address the specific case.
“The safety and well‑being of the racehorses training and competing in Kentucky are the center of everything we do,” the statement read. “KHRG closely monitors data pertaining to scratches, including those based on regulatory veterinarian advice. … We share the goal of each horse’s connections for the horse to compete safely. … We are constantly evaluating our processes and procedures with the best interests of the horse in mind, and will continue to engage with stakeholders, including trainers and attending veterinarians. We all want what is best for the horse.”
O’Neill Elated as Robusta Draws In
Across the Churchill Downs backstretch, trainer Doug O’Neill celebrated when Robusta officially drew into the Derby after Right to Party’s withdrawal.
A son of Accelerate, Robusta finished second by a head to Potente in the Grade 2 San Felipe on March 7. In the Santa Anita Derby, he bobbled at the break, dueled on the lead with Potente, and faded to finish last of seven.
“He’s always trained like a horse who was crying out for two turns,” O’Neill said. “We saw that in the San Felipe. Anything similar to that effort gives him a chance.”
Recalling the Santa Anita setback, O’Neill added,
“He stumbled really bad leaving there, then gathered himself and got back into the race, but that took too much out of him. Emisael [Jaramillo] took care of him and didn’t beat him up. Just grateful we’re in.”
Because Jaramillo had been third on the also‑eligible list and accepted mounts on Saturday’s Santa Anita card, Cristian Torreswill ride Robusta in the Derby. Torres had previously been named on Silent Tacticbefore that horse’s Wednesday scratch.
When Fulleffort was withdrawn Thursday, Tyler Gaffalione lost his mount. Trainer Whit Beckman subsequently replaced Joe Ramos with Gaffalione aboard Ocelli, citing the jockey’s greater experience in major races.
