Rodriguez was one of two horses in the field trained by the decorated and controversial Baffert, who is returning to the Derby after serving a three-year suspension. In 2021, Baffert's horse, Medina Spirit, tested positive for a banned steroid after winning the Derby and was stripped of the win.

One of Bob Baffert's horses was scratched from the Kentucky Derby on Thursday, just days away from his long-awaited return at Churchill Downs.

Kentucky Derby will take place at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Now that the 19-horse field is set following the addition of Baeza, horse racing handicappers are preparing for the year's biggest race.

Gray horses: Gray horses look different, so they generate some excitement from people who might not care about a horse’s pedigree or speed rating. No gray horse has won the Kentucky Derby since 2005. There are three grays running this year: Sandman, Final Gambit, and Chunk of Gold.