The Kentucky Derby is known for its drama, but this year's "Run for the Roses" saw an unusual amount of pre-race action—and not the kind fans love. Four horses were scratched ahead of the 152nd running, bringing the field down to 19 competitors and putting this year's race in the history books.

The most recent withdrawal came early Saturday morning, just 12 hours before post time, when The Puma was scratched due to leg swelling. Unlike the three previous scratches, The Puma's exit came too late for a replacement to be named, narrowing the field to 19. It's the sixth time in eight years that fewer than 20 horses have gone to post, a trend that's become a talking point among racing insiders.

So, how does 2026 stack up historically? The record for most scratches in a single Kentucky Derby is five, set in 1936 and matched in 2023. This year's four scratches come tantalizingly close to that mark. In 1936, only 14 horses ran after the withdrawals, while 18 competed in 2023 after three replacements were added. This year, three of the scratched horses were replaced, but The Puma's late departure left no room for a substitute.

Here's a quick rundown of the horses that were scratched:

• Silent Tactic (Wednesday) – Withdrew due to a bruised foot.
• Fulleffort (Thursday) – Scratched after a bone chip was discovered in his left hind leg.
• Right to Party (Friday) – Concerns over his right front leg led to his withdrawal, just before the replacement deadline.
• The Puma (Saturday morning) – The highest-odds horse of the four, scratched for leg swelling. His absence significantly shifted the race outlook, as no replacement could be added.

With the field set at 19, all eyes are now on Churchill Downs. Whether you're trackside or watching from home, the 2026 Kentucky Derby is shaping up to be one for the record books—even before the first horse crosses the finish line.