Robusta snags last-minute Kentucky Derby spot after late scratch
Robusta has secured a last-minute spot in the Kentucky Derby after Right to Party was scratched on Friday morning. The colt, trained by Doug O’Neill, will now line up in the prestigious race with only one career victory to his name. Right to Party’s withdrawal from the Derby opened the door for Robusta, who was first on the also-eligible list. As a result, every horse originally drawn outside the No. 5 post position will shift inward by one spot. Robusta will now break from the No. 20 gate under jockey Cristian Torres.
Robusta’s path to the Derby has been inconsistent. After a promising second-place finish in the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita on 7 March, he struggled in his next outing, finishing last in the Santa Anita Derby. Despite this, his connections remain hopeful.
O’Neill will now have two runners in the race, with Pavlovian also competing. Pavlovian enters the Derby with stronger form, having won the Sunland Park Derby and placed second in the Louisiana Derby. Robusta’s inclusion adds another contender to the Derby field, though his lack of experience at the highest level remains a question mark. The colt’s performance will determine whether his late entry proves a stroke of luck or a long shot. Either way, O’Neill’s stable will have two chances at victory on race day.
