As Kentucky Derby scratches mount, tensions rise between horsemen, vets
The hostility between horsemen and regulatory veterinarians has made its way to the spotlight during the 152nd Kentucky Derby week.
Scratching a horse from a race is a touchy subject. Horsemen all agree that the health and safety of a thoroughbred is paramount. But the whispers over the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corp.
veterinarians scratching, or deeming a horse ineligible to run, are growing louder across the industry, especially with multiple horses being scratched, including a Kentucky Derby contender , in the leadup to this year's Run for the Roses. Trainers, owners, breeders and even private veterinarians began vocalizing their frustrations publicly — comments they previously kept insular — as racing returned to the heart of Kentucky with the spring meet at Keeneland and continued this Derby week. In its opening week, at least four races at Churchill Downs had multiple state vet scratches for unsoundness.
(Opening week of 2025 saw at least six. ) When approached by The Courier Journal about the subject, one horseman at Churchill Downs said: "Don't get me started, good luck with that. " 'Now we're doing five a day' As the sun rose on the hallowed Churchill grounds the day before the 152nd Kentucky Derby, KHRGC chief veterinarian Nick Smith stood in Kenny McPeek’s office doorway as an exercise rider changed his boots in the corner.
”Hey Kenny, can we talk? " Smith asked. In the next minute, the regulatory veterinarians would scratch McPeek's Derby contender Right to Party for right front lameness, claiming he was unsound to run, the trainer told his barn.
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