Gotham Winner El Kabeir Scratched From Kentucky Derby
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El Kabeir training on the main track at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
By Tom Pedulla, America’s Best Racing
Update: As of 4:15 p.m. on Friday, May 1, Zayat Stables has scratched El Kabeir from the Kentucky Derby.
LOUISVILLE – El Kabeir, one of three horses entered by high-powered Zayat Stables in the 141st Kentucky Derby, might have to be scratched.
Justin Zayat, the stable’s racing manager, said diagnostic tests were being performed on El Kabeir on Friday morning after trainer John Terranova observed that the horse appeared to be having an issue. Zayat said it is possible El Kabeir has a bruised inside quarter, but that his family awaited a firm diagnosis.
“There is still a chance he may run,” Zayat said, adding that a final determination might not be made until Saturday morning.
Zayat emphasized that El Kabeir, winner of the Grade 3 Jerome and Gotham Stakes in prepping for the Derby at Aqueduct, will be scratched if the problem cannot be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.
“The horse comes first,” he said. “We will never run a horse who is less than 100 percent.”
If El Kabeir is forced to the sidelines, Justin and his father, Ahmed, would still have high hopes since their lineup is headed by 5-2 morning-line favorite American Pharoah, who is viewed as possessing superstar potential. The Zayat’s also have Mr. Z, a 50-1 longshot. El Kabeir, scheduled to have three-time Derby winner Calvin Borel aboard, is listed at 30-1.
$2-million Kentucky DerbySaturday, May 2, Churchill Downs, 6:34 p.m. ET1 ¼ miles, dirt, 3-year-olds TV: NBC 4-7:30 p.m. ET
No.
Horse
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Odds
1
Ocho Ocho Ocho
Elvis Trujillo
Jim Cassidy
DP Racing
24-1
2
Carpe Diem
John Velazquez
Todd Pletcher
WinStar Farm and Stonestreet Stable
7-1
3
Materiality
Javier Castellano
Todd Pletcher
Alto Racing
14-1
4
Tencendur
Manny Franco
George Weaver
Phillip S. Birsh
56-1
5
Danzig Moon
Julien Leparoux
Mark Casse
John Oxley
20-1
6
Mubtaahij
Christophe Soumillon
Mike de Kock
Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum
12-1
7
El Kabeir
SCRATCHED
SCRATCHED
SCRATCHED
N/A
8
Dortmund
Martin Garcia
Bob Baffert
Kaleem Shah
4-1
9
Bolo
Rafael Bejarano
Carla Gaines
Golden Pegasus Racing and Earle Mack
33-1
10
Firing Line
Gary Stevens
Simon Callaghan
Arnold Zetcher
8-1
11
Stanford
SCRATCHED
SCRATCHED
SCRATCHED
N/A
12
International Star
SCRATCHED
SCRATCHED
SCRATCHED
N/A
13
Itsaknockout
Luis Saez
Todd Pletcher
Starlight Racing
29-1
14
Keen Ice
Kent Desormeaux
Dale Romans
Donegal Racing
37-1
15
Frosted
Joel Rosario
Kiaran McLaughlin
Godolphin Racing
9-1
16
War Story
Joe Talamo
Tom Amoss
Loooch Racing Stables Glenn K. Ellis and Christopher T. Dunn
41-1
17
Mr. Z
Ramon Vazquez
D. Wayne Lukas
Zayat Stables
30-1
18
American Pharoah
Victor Espinoza
Bob Baffert
Zayat Stables
3-1
19
Upstart
Jose Ortiz
Rick Violette
Ralph Evans and WinStar Farm
21-1
20
Far Right
Mike Smith
Ron Moquett
Robert LaPenta and Harry Rosenblum
37-1
21
Frammento
Corey Nakatani
Nick Zito
Mossarosa
94-1
AE- Denotes also-eligible entrant, meaning another entrant would need to be scratched for Tale of Verve to draw into the field.