Derby Scratch: Rodriguez, Bob Baffert's top Kentucky Derby contender, out with bruise

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Rodriguez, the winner of the Wood Memorial and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert's top contender for the 151st Kentucky Derby, is out of the race with a bruised foot, according to Tom Ryan, managing partner of SF Racing, the colt's co-owner.

Ryan said in a post to the social media site X that the Authentic colt "has a small but slightly sensitive foot bruise that will need a few more days." He added that the decision was made "out of an abundance of caution" and that Rodriguez would be pointed toward the Preakness.

His defection puts Santa Anita Derby runner-up Baeza, trained by John Shirreffs, into the field. It also is expected to prompt a jockey move, with Flavien Prat moving off of Neoequos.

Rodriguez was 12-1 in the morning line for the Derby but had been bet down to 8-1. He had impressed in a 3 1/2-length victory over Todd Pletcher's Grande in the Wood, and had impressed even more in his time on the track at Churchill.

His defection not only is a blow to his ownership group, which includes Starlight Racing, but to Baffert's hopes for a victorious return to Churchill Downs, from which he was banned for the past three runnings of the Derby.

Baffert does have one other contender, Citizen Bull, the 2-year-old champion who will break from the No. 1 post.