Kentucky Derby

Practical Move Scratched From Kentucky Derby Due to Fever

Cyclone Mischief will replace Practical Move in the 20-horse field for Saturday's race

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Practical Move won’t run in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday because of an elevated temperature.

The scratch was announced Thursday by Churchill Downs.

Practical Move, the Santa Anita Derby winner, galloped in the morning and practiced standing in the starting gate.

Trainer Tim Yakteen told The Associated Press via text message that Practical Move's temperature began to rise around 11 a.m.

The colt was the early co-fourth choice at 10-1 odds.

The scratch moves Cyclone Mischief into the 20-horse field. He finished third in the Florida Derby and was second in the Fountain of Youth. He has two wins in seven career starts for trainer Dale Romans.

Yakteen still has Reincarnate in the Derby. He took over that colt's training from Bob Baffert, who is serving a two-year ban by Churchill Downs Inc. for a failed postrace doping test by Medina Spirit, the 2021 winner who was later disqualified.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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