The favorite for the Kentucky Derby has been scratched from the race.
Omaha Beach, which opened the day on Wednesday as the race favorite with 4:1 odds, was scratched due to entrapped epiglottis.
Breaking: morning line favorite Omaha Beach to scratch from @KentuckyDerby, according to trainer Richard Mandella. Colt to miss race with entrapped epiglottis. Was discovered after cough and scope. More to come. Mandella will meet with media at Barn 28 at 8 a.m. Thursday,
— Churchill Downs PR (@DerbyMedia) May 1, 2019
An entrapped epiglottis is a condition is an upper airway abnormality that can cause poor performance in athletic horses.
Here’s a look at the colt from earlier in the day after morning work and a walk around the barn.
This is video I took of Omaha Beach this morning after his morning work and walking around the barn. Omaha Beach is now OUT of the Kentucky Derby. pic.twitter.com/x4pnglw1MO
— Marc Weinberg (@MarcWeinbergWX) May 1, 2019
Bodemeister will replace Omaha Beach in the race. The horses with the next best odds as of Wednesday morning included Game Winner at 5:1 and Roadster and Improbable at 6-1.
The race will take place on Saturday.
