Longshot Haikal scratched from Kentucky Derby

Haikal joined morning-line favorite Omaha Beach as an official scratch for the 144th Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

Haikal, a 30-1 shot at Churchill Downs, exited the field with an abscess on his front left hoof ahead of Friday morning's scratch deadline of 9 a.m.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said Haikal was too sore to train, and the decision was made official Friday to pull him from the Derby field.

Omaha Beach, a 4-1 morning-line favorite following the post draw, was scratched Wednesday and was replaced by Bodexpress, the only also-eligible alternate available.

With Haikal out of the Run for the Roses, the final Kentucky Derby field is set at 19.

--Field Level Media