Trainer Bob Baffert has scratched Rodriguez from Saturday’s 151^st running of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I).

With the defection of Rodriguez, Baeza has drawn into the field.

Rodriguez, 12-1 on the morning line, was a dominant winner of the Wood Memorial April 5 to earn his Derby spot. Prior to that the Authentic colt had been well beaten Citizen Bull and Journalism in a pair of West Coast prep races. He figured to be part of a likely lively Kentucky Derby pace.

SF Racing managing partner Tom Ryan, whose group co-owns Rodriguez, said on X, formerly Twitter, that the horse has a “small but slightly sensitve foot bruise that will need a few more days.”

He added that the group would “target [Rodriguez] for the Preakness.”

Baeza was a very good second to Journalism in the Santa Anita Derby in his only stakes try to date. He is trained by John Shirreffs for CRK Stable and others. He is 12-1 on the Kentucky Derby morning line, and Flavien Prat will be in the irons.

Official scratch time for the Kentucky Derby is Friday at 9 a.m.