The prospective field for the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby changed Friday morning when owner Aron Wellman announced that Built will skip the Run for the Roses.
Built, coming off a fifth-place finish in the Louisiana Derby on March 22 at Fair Grounds, will run instead in the Pat Day Mile on the Derby Day undercard May 3 at Churchill Downs.
Wellman said a good showing in the Pat Day Mile could propel Built to a start in the Preakness Stakes on May 17 at Pimlico.
“In his last couple of races as the distances have increased, it seems as though he’s regressed a little bit in terms of his form,” Wellman said. “Hasn’t been polishing off his races as effectively as we’d want to see. Needless to say, the Kentucky Derby at a mile and a quarter is a huge test of stamina. … (Built) has told us in so many ways — at least at this stage of his career — a mile and a quarter is probably a bit outside of his scope.”
Wellman also is a co-owner of Santa Anita Derby winner Journalism, who’s expected to be the favorite for the Kentucky Derby.
The defection of Built means Neoequos — coming off a third-place finish in the Florida Derby — will move into the field for the Kentucky Derby.
Neoequos breezed four furlongs in 48.43 seconds on Thursday at Gulfstream Park and was scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs on Friday morning.
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said Flavien Prat will ride Neoequos in the Kentucky Derby unless Baeza also makes the field. Prat would move to ride Baeza if he qualifies.
Render Judgment (No. 21) and Baeza (No. 22) are on the bubble to make the 20-horse field for the Kentucky Derby. The draw is set for Saturday night.
Kenny McPeek, trainer of Render Judgment, said Friday morning he was leaning toward not entering the Kentucky Derby.
Baeza is expected to enter the Kentucky Derby, even if he’s on the also-eligible list. Horses on the also-eligible list can make the Kentucky Derby if one of the top 20 scratches before May 2.