Louisiana Derby Winner International Star Scratched From Derby

Louisiana Derby winner International Star was scratched from the Kentucky Derby the morning of the race. (Photo by Lou Hodges Photography)
By Tom Pedulla, America's Best Racing
LOUISVILLE -- The Kentucky Derby lost its third starter in as many days when International Star, the Louisiana Derby winner and a horse that loomed as a contender for many handicappers, was scratched from the 141st Kentucky Derby on Saturday morning.
According to owner Ken Ramsey, the colt appears to have an abscess or bruise in his left front foot.
“It’s particularly devastating to me and my family because we came this far with him. He never missed a beat,” Ramsey said during a phone interview. “To have this come up the morning of the race, it’s like a slap in the face.”
International Star, a New York-bred, is undefeated through three starts as a 3-year-old, with all of those coming at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, for earnings of $810,000. His closing style appeared to make him dangerous because the Derby field includes a number of horses that prefer to run on or near the lead.
“I thought I had a decent shot at winning the race,” Ramsey said.
The announcement left the Derby with 18 starters. Stanford was pulled from the race on Thursday after his trainer, Todd Pletcher, decided it was best to point him toward a different race. Stanford was replaced by Frammento, the first of two horses on the also-eligible list, who is trained by Hall of Famer Nick Zito.
El Kabeir, a standout in New York prep races, was scratched on Friday afternoon with an injury to his left front hoof. The last two scratches occurred after the 9 a.m. deadline on Friday, preventing Tale of Verve, the remaining horse on the also-eligible list, from being added.
Ramsey expressed optimism that the issue with International Star can be resolved quickly. “We’re looking at the Preakness for his next start,” he said. “Based on what they’re telling me this morning, we have a good shot at making that.”