Kentucky Derby 2024: Epic Ride enters the race, Encino is scratched

Encino, one of the three Kentucky Derby 2024 entrants for Brad Cox, was withdrawn from the race on Tuesday. This makes room for Epic Ride to enter the competition.

Encino won the Grade 3 Lexington and the John Battaglia Memorial this year, going 3-for-3 and earning a spot in the Derby. Axel Concepcion was set to ride him on Saturday at 20-1 on the morning line.

Encino's right front leg had a soft-tissue strain, according to Cox, who spoke with Daily Racing Form.

Just a Touch and Catching Freedom are Cox's final two entries.

John Ennis is the trainer of Epic Ride, a colt by Blame. With a third in the Blue Grass (G1) and a second in the Battaglia, he qualified to race for the roses. After four races at Turfway Park on synthetic surfaces, the Blue Grass was his sole career start on dirt. He breezed four furlongs in 51.2 seconds at The Thoroughbred Center on Friday, his most recent effort.

Epic Ride was 30-1 on the morning line and lengthened to 70-1 early Tuesday afternoon. Adam Beschizza has the mount.