Churchill Downs officials announced Friday morning Ethereal Road has been scratched from Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, allowing Rich Strike into the field.
The Daily Racing Form reported Ethereal Road trainer D. Wayne Lukas chose to scratch the horse, who drew the No. 20 post position for the Derby. Rich Strike will now take the No. 20 position in the gate.
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Ethereal Road, a son of Quality Road, would have given Lukas his 50th all-time starter in the Derby. He’s won the Derby four times, most recently with Charismatic in 1999. Ethereal Road is 1-1-1 in seven lifetime starts, most recently finishing fourth in the Grade 3 Lexington on April 16 at Keeneland.
Rich Strike will be the first Derby starter for trainer Eric Reed. A son of Keen Ice, Rich Strike is 1-0-3 in seven career starts and most recently finished third in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks on April 2 at Turfway Park.
“Get a good break and work over to the inside,” Reed said of plans for breaking from the No. 20 post. “Start picking them up midway on the backstretch and then pass them all before the finish line."
Rattle N Roll, who joined Rich Strike on the also-eligible list, also has been officially scratched from the Derby.
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This story will be updated.
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @KentuckyDerbyCJ.
