Foot Abscess Forces Haikal out of Kentucky Derby

Shadwell Stable's Haikal will miss the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) May 4 at Churchill Downs due to an ill-timed foot abscess.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said the morning of May 3 that although it's a minor issue, the timing of the abscess will force the son of Daaher  to be scratched from the Louisville classic.

"Just bad timing," McLaughlin said. "We got shoes on him this morning but he was just off jogging on the road."

The announcement wasn't completely unexpected as McLaughlin had reported the abscess May 2 and said then that a final decision would be made Friday morning on the Derby status of the Gotham Stakes (G3) winner. Haikal had drawn post 11 for Saturday's Derby.

McLaughlin said he feels bad for owner-breeder Sheikh Hamdan and all of the Shadwell team and others connected with the horse. He said no race plans are yet in place for Haikal, who will return to New York to resume training after the issue is resolved.

The decision to scratch Haikal and announcement that Mike Smith would ride Cutting Humor in the Derby were the only developments the morning of May 3, as severe storms settled in over Churchill Downs.

All Derby entrants went to the track Friday, with most galloping or jogging over the sealed sloppy track during the 5:15-5:30 a.m. EDT window reserved for Derby and Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) horses. 

After early morning thunderstorms, rain continued until the 10:30 a.m. EDT first post, creating sloppy main track conditions and a turf course rated good for races 6 and 10, with races 1 and 4 taken off the grass and moved to the main track.

As of 10:30 a.m., scratches out of the graded stakes on the Friday card were:

Race 7, Alysheba (G2):

3—Prime Attraction

7—Hawaakom

9—Multiplier

Race 8, La Troienne (G1)

8—Golden Award

Race 10, Twinspires Turf Sprint (G2T)

1—Bound for Nowhere

2—Mr. Crow