The Puma Scratched Because of Swollen Pastern
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Puma, listed as the fifth choice at 8‑1 in early wagering for Saturday’s 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, was scratched approximately 12 hours before post timebecause of a swollen pastern in his left front leg, believed to have resulted from a skin infection.
Gustavo Delgado Jr., assistant to his father Gustavo Delgado, said Saturday morning that he learned of the issue upon arriving at the barn and being told by the groom that the colt’s leg was swollen.
“The horse has got a minor scratch, we think that might be the cause of the infection,” Delgado Jr. said. “The horse is also lame on the leg when you jog him, so it was an easy decision to scratch him. It wasn’t a question of anything — we agreed to it.”
Delgado Jr. said The Pumawill be treated with antibioticsbut is not expected to miss significant time.
“We’re really disappointed; we remain confident about his future,” he said. “At this stage we don’t believe it’s anything serious or long‑term. We’ll take it day by day and do what’s best for him. The horse comes first.”
It is considered unlikely the colt will make the Preakness Stakes.
Fourth Scratch Since Draw
The Puma becomes the fourth horse to scratch from the Kentucky Derby since post positions were drawn April 25, joining Silent Tactic (bruised foot), Fulleffort (chip in hind ankle), and Right to Party (lameness).
As a result, three of the four initially listed also‑eligibles — Great White, Ocelli, and Robusta— drew into the starting field. Corona de Oro, the fourth also‑eligible, was scratched at 9 a.m. Friday, the final pre‑race deadline.
A Top Contender Sidelined
Before the scratch, The Puma was widely viewed as a legitimate Derby contender. The colt won the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby (March 7) while still a maiden and then was beaten a nose by Commandment in the Grade 1 Florida Derby (March 28).
Since arriving in Kentucky, additional owners— Michael and Jules Iavarone and Bruce Zoldan — purchased stakes in the horse. The original ownership group included the Delgado family (racing as OGMA Investments), JR Ranch, and High Step Racing.
Javier Castellano had been named to ride The Puma, drawn in post 8 after the earlier scratch of Right to Party. His withdrawal moves all horses initially drawn outside him inward one post, producing a 19‑horse field for the 2026 Derby.
Updated Betting Outlook
As wagering opened Saturday, Renegade was the 5‑1 favorite, followed by So Happy and Commandment at 6‑1, and Further Ado at 7‑1.
