Sir Cherokee Scratched From Derby

Sir Cherokee, the Arkansas Derby winner who was a 15-1 shot on the morning line, was scratched Friday from the Kentucky Derby because of a small crack in his right rear leg.

The defection of trainer Mike Tomlinson’s horse left today’s Derby with 16 starters.

“It’s a bitter pill to swallow,” said Tomlinson, who had never had a Derby horse.

The injury was found after Sir Cherokee had galloped at Trackside, Churchill Downs’ satellite training center.