I Want Revenge, the morning line favorite, was scratched over concerns about a tender ankle and wet track conditions.

I Want Revenge was the first morning favourite in Derby history to withdraw from the famed Churchill Downs race on the day of the event even though X-ray and ultrasound tests could not discover any damage in the 3-year-old colt.

When the word came out that running could hurt the horse, I looked at both doctors and said, ‘Then this is no debate,’” owner David Lanzman said. “‘What are we talking about? We’ll fight another day.’”

Trainer Jeff Mullins discovered the problem on I Want Revenge’s left front ankle, seeing it was tender when flexed. Adding to concerns was rain that was expected to make for sloppy track conditions.

Larry Bramlage, the on-call veterinarian at Churchill Downs, said the horse didn’t look injured while jogging for doctors.

“Unfortunately, this close to the Derby, there’s not a way to gauge how bad that is,” he said.

Friesan Fire, who became the favourite among gamblers late on Friday, takes over the favourite’s role.