The equestrian community was thrown for a loop on Saturday morning before the 2023 Kentucky Derby. Forte, the pre-race favorite and the focus of everyone’s attention, was forced to withdraw from the competition after suffering an injury to his right front foot. Many people had high hopes for the pre-race favorite and had placed bets on him before his disqualification from the Derby. Forte was not yet completely defeated, however; the Triple Crown still had two major races remaining. Unfortunately, there’s more bad news for Forte supporters.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission recently provided an update on the status of the once-favorite horse for the Derby, Forte. Forte will not be able to compete in the Preakness Stakes, according to the statement made on Monday afternoon.

Another blow for the former Kentucky Derby favorite

In the days leading up to the Derby, Forte garnered the most attention. Forte was the odds-on favorite because of his string of Grade 1 stakes victories that included the Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa, the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity, and the Hopeful Stakes.

But things went south when trainer Todd Pletcher and co-owner Mike Repole spotted an ailment to the horse’s front right foot during the Derby Day morning practice session. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission reviewed the situation and decided to exclude the horse from the Derby because of the potential interference it would have caused in the actual race.

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Fans were still holding out hope that the horse would compete in the Preakness Stakes (Gr. 1) on May 20, 2023, despite the fact that he wasn’t able to run in the Kentucky Derby. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission issued a fresh statement updating the condition of Forte, but the news wasn’t good for the horse’s fans. In the statement, they mentioned, saying, “Forte was scratched from the Kentucky Derby by KHRC veterinarians following Saturday’s routine soundness checks. As is the case with all KHRC veterinary scratches related to soundness, and pursuant to HISA Rule 2241(a), this places Forte on a mandatory 14-day veterinary list. After 14 days, the requirements for removal from the list include a satisfactory workout performed for a state regulatory veterinarian and a negative blood sample result.”

Fans of equestrian sports were already disappointed by Forte’s absence from the Derby, so his exclusion from the next Preakness Stakes came as a huge shock.

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