By Canadian Press

Kentucky Derby favourite Omaha Beach scratched

May 1, 2019 | 5:09 PM

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Favourite Omaha Beach was scratched from the Kentucky Derby because of a breathing problem Wednesday night.

Trainer Richard Mandella told The Associated Press the colt developed a cough and a subsequent veterinary exam showed Omaha Beach has an entrapped epiglottis. It’s generally not life- or career-threatening and is typically corrected with minor surgery.

Omaha Beach was made the 4-1 early favourite for Saturday’s 145th Derby. His defection leaves a pair of Hall of Famers on the sidelines — Mandella and jockey Mike Smith.

“It’s been a devastating thing, but we have to do what’s right for the horse,” said Mandella, who has never won the Derby.

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The colt galloped Wednesday morning without any problem and Mandella said everything was fine.

But that changed by late afternoon when the exam showed the cough was more than a minor irritation.

The role of likely favourite now falls to Game Winner, who was the 5-1 second choice. Omaha Beach’s scratch moves Bodexpress into the field in the No. 20 post.

Beth Harris, The Associated Press