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When Race Day Arrives Without The Puma
Churchill Downs, Louisville, USASunday, May 3, 2026
# **Kentucky Derby 2024: A Field Shaken by Late Scratches**
## **The Race That Wasn’t to Be**
The gates of Churchill Downs will close this **Saturday at 6:57 p.m. ET** for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby—but not before a whirlwind of last-minute changes. **Nineteen horses** will take the track instead of the usual 20, after **The Puma** was withdrawn due to a swollen leg from a skin infection.
Trainers **Gustavo Delgado Sr. and Jr.** had pinned high hopes on the 10-1 longshot, but the odds shifted slightly to **8-1** before the scratch. Delgado Jr. called the timing **"incredibly disappointing,"** noting the swelling should subside in a day or two.
## **A Chain of Setbacks**
The Puma’s exit is just the latest in a **four-day streak of scratches**, leaving racing fans questioning the Derby’s unpredictable nature:
- Silent Tactic
- Fulleffort
- Right to Party
Their replacements—Great White, Ocelli, and Robusta—rushed in just in time, testing the adaptability of owners, trainers, and jockeys alike.
History in the Making—and Missing
For the Delgado family, the disappointment cuts deep. After their 2023 Derby win with Mage, a second victory was within reach. Meanwhile, Bill and Riley Mott made history as the first father-son duo since 1964 to saddle horses in the same Derby—a rare family feat amid the chaos.
When Luck Runs Out
Scratches are never easy, but in the Derby’s short preparation window, even the smallest setback can reshape the race. With fewer horses, the field is wide open, and the stakes are higher than ever.
Will the remaining contenders rise to the occasion? Only one way to find out—race day awaits.
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