In a bitter blow to Todd Pletcher, who must feel his chances of ever winning a Kentucky Derby are jinxed, red-hot favorite Eskendereya has been ruled out of the race through injury.
Eskendereya was unbeaten after runaway victories and as short as 2/1 for Churchill Downs but has suffered a leg injury and will not be lining up. Pletcher was devastated but lost no time in swapping around his plans and now Pletcher's filly Devil May Care will step into the fallen favorite's shoes.
Pletcher has had twenty four horses attempt to land the Derby and he was adamant that Eskendereya was easily the best of them. The injury is not career-threatening but swelling in a leg needs to go down and Pletcher had been unhappy with the horse's work even before the problem came to light.
Devil May Care, a Grade One heroine last season before disappointing in the Breeders Cup, will head a vastly-weakened quartet of Pletcher hopefuls in the big race. The yard's retained jockey John Velazquez switches to the filly, who bids to be only the fourth of her gender to win The Derby. The last successful attempt was 1988.
In Devil May Care's one run this term she landed a Grade Two prize, form that would have given her a big chance in the Kentucky Oaks.
Pletcher's other Derby runners are Discreetly Mine, Super Saver and Mission Impazible.
Best for Kentucky Derby betting:
No.1: Bovada Sportsbook