Latest News About The Puma Kentucky Derby

Here’s the latest on The Puma and the Kentucky Derby.

Direct answer

• The Puma was scratched from the 2026 Kentucky Derby on race morning due to a swollen leg caused by a skin infection, leaving 19 horses to run at Churchill Downs.[5][6][9]

Context and what changed

• Prior to scratching, The Puma had been listed among the favorites with strong early or mid-week odds, making the scratch a notable last-minute development for bettors and fans.[1][4]
• Churchill Downs and The Puma’s training team issued statements explaining the swelling and skin infection as the reason for withdrawal, noting it should subside with treatment.[6][1]

What this means for the field

• With The Puma out, the Derby field was reduced from the originally rumored 20 to 19 horses, affecting post positions and wagering options for the race.[9][5]
• The remaining field included other top contenders and established trainers, with odds and expectations shifting in the immediate aftermath of the scratch.[1][5]

Useful background

• The Derby is scheduled for Churchill Downs in Louisville, typically around early May, with post times around 6:57 PM Eastern on race day; last-minute scratches like The Puma are relatively rare but not unprecedented.[5][9]
• Reports consistently cited swelling in the leg tied to a skin infection as the medical rationale, and race organizers confirmed the field adjustment accordingly.[6][1]

If you’d like, I can pull the updated official morning line and post-time details from the main Derby site or compile a quick table of the 19 runners with trainers and jockeys. I can also share public reactions or betting implications from major outlets. Would you like me to do that?

Citations:

• Derby scratch and field update reporting The Puma’s withdrawal due to leg swelling from a skin infection.[5]
• Trainer statements and official context on the scratch.[1]
• Additional coverage confirming the field adjustment to 19 horses and post-time details.[9]