LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 3 (UPI) -- Black Onyx was scratched from Saturday's Kentucky Derby, reducing the field to 19.
Because the scratch Friday came after the 9 a.m. EDT deadline for revisions of the field, the "also eligible" horse, Fear the Kitten, will not draw into the race. Instead, the Churchill Downs stewards ruled the No. 1 gate will be left open and the remaining starters will keep the post positions they drew Wednesday.
The No. 1 gate often is a difficult one in the crowded Derby field and Black Onyx was a longshot chance even before he drew that spot.
The National Weather Service predicted showers and thunderstorms for Louisville through Friday night, then an 80 percent chance of rain at Churchill Downs on Derby Day, with up to 1/2 inch of additional precipitation during the racing program.
