Omaha Beach, the Kentucky Derby favorite, scratched

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Favorite Omaha Beach has been scratched from the Kentucky Derby because of a breathing problem.

Kentucky Derby spokesman Darren Rogers tweeted the news Wednesday evening.

The colt from Southern California was made the 4-1 early favorite for Saturday’s 145th Derby. Omaha Beach galloped Wednesday morning without any problem and trainer Richard Mandella said everything was fine.

But that changed by late afternoon when Rogers said Omaha Beach has an entrapped epiglottis, the cartilage at the base of the airway that hampers the colt’s breathing. It’s generally not a career-threatening problem and is usually corrected with minor surgery.

The role of likely favorite now falls to Game Winner, who was the 5-1 second choice. Omaha Beach’s scratch moves Bodexpress into the field with the No. 20 post.