Billionaire star of 'Race For The Crown' has Kentucky Derby dream dashed again

The billionaire star of hit Netflix documentary ‘Race For The Crown’ has seen his Kentucky Derby dream dashed again - on the day before the race. Mike Repole, one of the biggest investors in the sport, has been trying to land ‘the Run for the Roses’ since he first entered more than 20 years ago.

The New Yorker’s Repole Stable has won over 1,100 races of more than $40 million including many of the biggest races in the US. Yet in the Kentucky Derby he is 0-for-8, even when he has had the favourite for the historic race.

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His best horses Uncle Mo, Forte and Fierceness, all trained by Todd Pletcher, were each champion two-year-olds as winners of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. But Uncle Mo was ruled out by illness during Kentucky Derby week and Forte was scratched by vets just hours before the race.

‘Race For The Crown’ follows Repole, who made his fortune after selling his drinks brands to Coca Cola, at the 2023 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita where Fierceness triumphs in the Juvenile to cement his Kentucky Derby credentials.

The colt got to the starting gate but ran the worst race of his career, finishing 15th of 20 having gone off the 16-5 favourite. Repole was back at Churchill Downs this week with a less vaunted candidate in Grande, but he too will now miss the big race.

Breaking the news to his followers on X, Repole said: “Unfortunately, the vets have decided to scratch Grande from tomorrow’s Kentucky Derby.

“He has been battling a slight cracked heel this week which has been improving. To be cautious, Todd X-rayed on Monday and the horse had clean X-rays.

“On Wednesday, the state vets asked us if we could do a PET scan, and Grande had that yesterday and it was also clean. He has been training and looking great on the track all week.

“The heel has improved throughout the week and it also improved again this morning. Unfortunately the vets told us this morning they were scratching the horse despite the clean diagnostics.

“We were very confused with all the clean diagnostics and improvement all week, why they rushed to judgment to scratch today.”

The Kentucky Derby lost another runner on Thursday when the Bob Baffert-trained Rodriguez, who defeated Grande in his previous race, was ruled out. The reserve Baeza has replaced him.

Repole went on: “With the race being tomorrow, and Baeza already having drawn into the race, we are also shocked and confused why this decision was made now. We were given no real explanation why Grande was scratched 36 hours before the race.

“We all love these horses and our number one concern is the safety and welfare of these amazing Thoroughbreds. That is, and should always be the priority.

“With all the diagnostics we have taken, the great vets we use, and the experience of Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, we are baffled and confused by what criteria vets are using to determine who scratches, who doesn’t and when…especially when every diagnostic tells us the horse is safe and sound.

“I love racing…”