Rodriguez Late Scratch for Kentucky Derby, Baeza Gets Last Spot

• The 151^st running of the Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 3, with a post time of 6:57 PM ET at Churchill Downs.
• The 20-horse field was set on Wednesday as the post positions were drawn.
• On Thursday evening, it was announced that Rodriguez, which was starting out of gate No.4, would be scratched with a foot injury, and Baeza will take his place.

Horse racing fans and bettors alike are ready for the 151^st running of the Kentucky Derby. The “Run for the Roses” will take place on Saturday, May 3, and the race starts at 6:57 PM ET.

Injuries can creep into horse racing, as it does with all sports. There can be late scratches at the Kentucky Derby, and there will be one as Rodriguez won’t run at Churchill Downs, due to a foot injury. Now, Baeza will replace Rodriguez.

Bob Baffert-Trained Rodriguez Has Bone Bruise in Foot, Will Aim for Preakness Stakes Instead

The news was revealed on Thursday evening as teams were stepping up their preparation for the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports”.

While Journalism has been the favorite throughout the lead-up to the Kentucky Derby, Rodriguez was in the top half of the odds for the race. He finished third in the Grade-2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita on March 1, and then won the Grade-2 Wood Memorial Stakes on April 5.

Rodriguez would have been one of two Bob Baffert-trained horses as Baffert makes his return to the Kentucky Derby. The legendary trainer has completed a three-year suspension for a failed drug test from Medina Spirit, which won the Derby in 2021, but was then disqualified. Baffert is still a six-time Kentucky Derby winner, along with eight Preakness Stakes wins, and three Belmont Stakes victories.

Baffert still has Citizen Bull in the field, starting from gate No.1. Rodriguez was starting from the No.4 spot. He will now aim to take part in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 17, 2025.

Rodriguez’s spot will be taken by Baeza, which finished second to Journalism at the Grade-1 Santa Anita Derby. Baeza is trained by John Shirreffs, who won the 2005 Kentucky Derby with longshot Giacomo. Don’t forget to factor for this injury when you’re entering Kentucky Derby contests.

What Does This Mean for the Kentucky Derby Odds?

There is really no change in the Kentucky Derby odds for this race as Baeza is now where Rodriguez was priced, which is around +1200. Journalism is still the favorite by a solid margin, followed by Sovereignty and Sandman.

This might affect some Kentucky Derby prop bets you were thinking of making, but it seems like Baeza will just slot into Rodriguez’s spot in those wagers. There isn’t much you’ll need to do outside of some researching into Baeza’s track record.

The field is just trying to keep up with Journalism, but like the rest of the field, Baeza has a shot on what should be a sloppy track at Churchill Downs. It’s supposed to rain in Louisville, Kentucky, starting on Friday evening and all through Saturday.