Associated Press

May 2, 2026, 09:53 AM ET

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The Puma has been scratched from the Kentucky Derby, so the 152nd edition of the race will be run Saturday with 19 horses instead of the maximum 20.

Churchill Downs officials announced The Puma was out because of a swollen leg from a skin infection. He was ruled out less than 12 hours before the 6:57 p.m. ET post time, past the deadline for Corona de Oro to draw into the field off the also-eligible list.

The horse trained by Gustavo Delgado Sr. and son Gustavo Delgado Jr. opened at odds of 10-1 and was bet down to 8-1 by Friday.

"It's incredibly disappointing, but the swelling should go down within a day or two," Delgado said. "It's just really bad timing."

The father-son training duo was looking to win its second Derby after doing so with Mage in 2023.…