Uncle Mo scratched from the Kentucky Derby - By: SPORTS NETWORK

An intestinal problem was discovered after last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile champion finished third at the Wood Memorial on April 9. Trainer Todd Pletcher indicated recently that Uncle Mo had been recovering from the issue, but still said he and owner Mike Repole would wait until Friday morning to make a decision on the colt's Derby status.

Uncle Mo was the 9-2 second choice in the morning-line when the post positions were announced on Wednesday. The field will now feature 19 horses instead of 20.

After winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs last November, Uncle Mo began his 2011 season with a victory in the Timely Writer Stakes on March 12 at Gulfstream Park. He went into the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct as the overwhelming 1-10 favorite, but faltered down the stretch.

Tests taken soon after revealed a gastrointestinal problem that eventually forced Friday's decision.