The Puma scratched from Kentucky Derby, reducing field to 19 horses

Key facts

• The Puma scratched due to swelling in his leg from a skin infection.
• Trainer Gustavo Delgado confirmed the scratch Saturday morning.
• The Puma is the fifth horse to scratch since last Saturday's draw.
• The Puma finished second in the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28.
• He earned $442,280 in four career starts with a 1-2-1 record.
• Post time for the Kentucky Derby is 6:57 p.m. Saturday.
• Robusta, trained by Doug O'Neill, replaces Right to Party in the field.

A late scratch reshapes the Derby field

The Puma, a contender in the 2026 Kentucky Derby, was scratched Saturday morning after trainers discovered swelling in his leg caused by a skin infection. The defection reduces the field to 19 horses for the 152nd running of the race at Churchill Downs. Churchill Downs officials confirmed the scratch, making The Puma the fifth horse to withdraw since the post-position draw last Saturday. He joins Right to Party, Silent Tactic, Fulleffort and Corona de Oro on the list of late scratches. Assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr. said the condition was discovered Saturday morning, calling the decision to scratch "easy" despite the disappointment. "It's not something that's a fine line," he said. "Painful but easy. … Long-term he's going to be fine."

Trainers prioritize the colt's long-term health

Trainer Gustavo Delgado expressed frustration over the timing. "We discovered some swelling in his leg due to a skin infection," he said. "It's incredibly disappointing, but the swelling should go down within a day or two. It's just really bad timing." Delgado Jr. said The Puma will remain at Churchill Downs for a week and is unlikely to enter the Preakness Stakes on May 16 at Laurel Park. The colt requires antibiotics and is expected to recover fully within two to three days. "He's done so much for us up until now," Delgado Jr. said. "So we're just going to look after him like we always do."

The Puma's promising but brief career

The Puma entered the Derby with a record of 1-2-1 in four career starts and earnings of $442,280. His most notable performance came on March 28, when he finished second in the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. The colt's late scratch deprives the Derby of a horse who had shown steady improvement. His absence leaves 19 horses to compete in the race, with post time set for 6:57 p.m. Saturday.

Robusta enters the field after Right to Party scratches

Right to Party was scratched Friday morning due to lameness in his right front leg, marking the third Derby-week withdrawal. Robusta, trained by Doug O'Neill, moved into the field from the also-eligible list and will start from post position No. 19 under jockey Cristian Torres. O'Neill is a two-time Kentucky Derby winner, having won with I'll Have Another in 2012 and Nyquist in 2016. Robusta will be O'Neill's ninth Derby starter; he also finished second in 2021 with Hot Rod Charlie after Medina Spirit's disqualification. Torres, 28, will make his Derby debut aboard Robusta. The horse has won only one of five career starts, a maiden special weight at Santa Anita Park in January. In his most recent outing, Robusta finished last in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 4.

A series of late scratches disrupts the Derby lineup

Robusta is the third also-eligible horse to join the Derby field this week. Great White replaced Silent Tactic, who scratched due to a bruised foot, and Ocelli replaced Fulleffort, who was dealing with a chip in his left hind ankle. The spate of late scratches has reshuffled the starting gate and altered betting odds. With The Puma's withdrawal, the field now stands at 19 horses, one short of the maximum 20.

What lies ahead for the scratched horses

The Puma is expected to recover fully and could return to racing later in the season. Delgado Jr. indicated the colt will not be rushed back, ruling out the Preakness. Right to Party's lameness may also sideline him for upcoming Triple Crown races. For Robusta, the Derby represents a long-shot opportunity. Despite modest form, the colt benefits from O'Neill's experience in the race. The 2026 Derby will test whether a late replacement can overcome the odds.

The bottom line

• The Puma scratched due to a skin infection causing leg swelling, reducing the Derby field to 19.
• He is the fifth horse to scratch since the draw, joining Right to Party, Silent Tactic, Fulleffort and Corona de Oro.
• Trainer Gustavo Delgado and assistant Delgado Jr. prioritized the colt's health, ruling out the Preakness.
• The Puma earned $442,280 with a 1-2-1 record, including a second-place finish in the Florida Derby.
• Robusta, trained by Doug O'Neill, replaced Right to Party and will start from post 19.
• The Derby post time is 6:57 p.m. Saturday at Churchill Downs.