El Kabeir Scratched from 2015 Kentucky Derby: Latest Details and Reaction

Contender El Kabeir was scratched from Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

The Derby’s official Twitter page confirmed the scratch Friday, while Simon Bray of TVG and Fox Sports passed along the news:

El Kabeir is the son of Scat Daddy and did not train Friday morning. Claire Novak of BloodHorse.com noted that the horse is “dealing with what could be the beginnings of a quarter crack or abcess.”

Justin Zayat of Zayat Stables commented on the developments, per Novak: "Unfortunately, El Kabeir has been scratched from the Derby. He was still not 100 percent this afternoon. [The] horse always comes first."

Owner Ahmed Zayat (who happens to also own the favorite, American Pharoah) thought of the trainer, John Terranova, per Novak: "I am heartbroken for the Terranovas. They worked unbelievable with this horse over the winter."

El Kabeir won the Gotham race in March, the Jerome race in January and the Kentucky Derby Jockey Club at Churchill Downs in November.

While El Kabeir wasn’t seen as one of the favorites alongside the likes of American Pharoah, Dortmund and Carpe Diem, he has that victory at Churchill Downs on his resume. What’s more, he drew a favorable post position at No. 7 and was in an ideal spot to break from the middle of the field and challenge throughout the race.

El Kabeir would not have been pinned against the rails in the early going and didn’t have much space to make up from an outside gate. 

Gene Kershner of The Buffalo News passed along the fallout for the race:

So much for all that concern during the post draw about which horse would land the dreaded No. 1 post.

It is certainly unfortunate news for El Kabeir’s camp, but one fewer horse in the field means one fewer horse for American Pharoah to beat as the favorite and a potential Triple Crown contender.

El Kabeir represented a threat based on his starting position alone and has demonstrated the speed necessary to win at Churchill Downs in the past. He would have at least challenged Saturday, which makes American Pharoah’s and Dortmund’s task a little easier.