Uncle Mo has been scratched from the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs officials said Friday.
The Indian Charlie colt, last year's Breeders' Cup winner and 2-year-old champion, suffered his first career loss in the Wood Memorial last month and later was found to have a gastro-intestinal tract infection. He was treated with antibiotics but owner Mike Repole said he would not run the colt if he wasn't fully recovered.
Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher had a team of three veterinarians examine Uncle Mo and said their decision would be based on the medical evaluation.
The decision to scratch reduces the field for Saturday's $2 million Kentucky Derby to 19 horses. Dialed In, winner of the Florida Derby, was the 4-1 morning-line favorite.