Practical Move to Scratch From Kentucky Derby

Trainer Tim Yakteen plans to scratch Practical Move  from the May 6 Kentucky Derby (G1) after the Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner showed an elevated temperature May 4 at Churchill Downs.

Yakteen said the son of Practical Joke   was otherwise fine Thursday morning, but the decision to scratch him from Saturday's race was done out of precaution. 

"It's a no-brainer," Yakteen said of the co-fourth choice on the morning line at 10-1. 

Yakteen said his thoughts are with Practical Move's owners Leslie Amestoy, Pierre Amestoy Jr., and Roger Beasley, as well as his staff who put in countless hours getting Practical Move to the cusp of running in the Derby. 

"Unless you understand how this game works, the ownership and the connections…it's a full-team effort," he said. 

Pierre Amestoy said, "I'm very disappointed. But he'll be back."

As for what lies ahead for Practical Move, Yakteen said the hope is he'll respond to antibiotics. Once Practical Move is healthy, Yakteen said he will come up with a game plan.

Practical Move has won his last three starts including the Santa Anita Derby (G1), which included third-place finisher and Kentucky Derby entrant Skinner  and runner-up Mandarin Hero , who is now in the Derby after the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission forced the scratch of Lord Miles. 

With the scratch, Albaugh Family Stables and Castleton Lyons' Cyclone Mischief  will draw into the field and break from the outside post 20. He will race as program number 21.