Kentucky Derby 2026 scratches: Right to Party third horse to be sidelined

Editor's note: Follow USA TODAY's live May 1 coverage of the 2026 Kentucky Derby here.

Right to Party, who had drawn the coveted No. 5 gate for the 152nd Kentucky Derby, has been scratched from the field of 20 contenders just 24 hours before the annual Run for the Roses.

Regulatory veterinarians made the decision to scratch Right to Party after detecting right front lameness, an abnormality or pain in a horse’s right front leg that affects its natural gait and could endanger both the horse and jockey if left unaddressed.

Right to Party was trained by renowned Kenneth G. McPeek and was set to be ridden by jockey Christopher Elliott. The colt’s playful name is a nod to the iconic 1986 Beastie Boys anthem, "Fight For Your Right," Drawing the No. 5 post position, historically the most successful gate in Derby history with 10 winners emerging from it, had raised hopes for a strong performance.

With Right to Party withdrawn, Robusta, trained by two-time Kentucky Derby winner Doug F. O’Neill, will step into the field from the 23rd gate, carrying longshot 50-1 morning line odds.

2026 Kentucky Derby horses that have scratched

Silent Tactic will be replaced by Great White

Silent Tactic became the first horse officially scratched from this year’s Kentucky Derby, creating an opening for Great White to enter the prestigious race. Great White, trained by John Ennis, will now break from post position No. 19 and is listed as a 50-1 longshot.

Fulleffort will be replaced by Ocelli

Brad Cox’s contender, Fulleffort, was scratched from the Kentucky Derby on Thursday, April 30, making room for Ocelli, who is trained by Whit Beckman, to join the field. Ocelli enters the race with 50-1 odds and will break from the No. 20 post position. Ocelli is a maiden, meaning he has never won a race, and is attempting to become only the fourth maiden in history to win the Kentucky Derby, and the first since Brokers Tip accomplished the feat in 1933.

Right to Party will be replaced by Robusta

Right to Party was scratched Friday, May 1 after veterinarians detected right front lameness, an abnormality or pain in a horse’s right front leg that affects its natural gait and could endanger both the horse and jockey if left unaddressed. Robusta will step into the field from the 23rd gate.

When is the Kentucky Derby?

The 152nd Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs is scheduled for Saturday, May 2. Fans can view the Kentucky Derby on NBC and USA Network, with streaming available on Peacock.

• Date: Saturday, May 2
• Time: 2:30 p.m. ET-7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC, USA Network
• Stream: Peacock
• Location: Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky)

2026 Kentucky Derby odds, post positions

Here are the starting positions and odds, according to kentuckyderby.com, for all the horses participating in the 152nd Kentucky Derby. Odds as of 4:41 p.m. ET.

• No. 1: Renegade | odds: 5-1
• No. 2: Albus | odds: 50-1
• No. 3: Intrepido | odds: 55-1
• No. 4: Litmus Test | odds: 34-1
• No. 5: Right to Party SCRATCHED
• No. 6: Commandment | odds: 7-1  
• No. 7: Danon Bourbon | odds: 14-1
• No. 8: So Happy | odds: 6-1
• No. 9: The Puma | odds: 8-1
• No. 10: Wonder Dean | odds: 20-1 
• No. 11: Incredibolt | odds: 27-1
• No. 12: Chief Wallabee | odds: 9-1 
• No. 13: Silent Tactic SCRATCHED
• No. 14: Potente | odds: 23-1
• No. 15: Emerging Market | odds: 11-1
• No. 16: Pavlovian | odds: 52-1
• No. 17: Six Speed | odds: 40-1
• No. 18: Further Ado | odds: 7-1
• No. 19: Golden Tempo | odds: 36-1
• No. 20: Fulleffort | SCRATCHED
• No. 21: Great White | odds: 29-1
• No. 22: Ocelli | odds: 50-1
• No. 23: Robusta | odds: 50-1

Stephanie Kuzydym of the Louisville-Courier Journal contributed to this report.