Black Onyx scratched from Kentucky Derby

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Louisville, KY (Sports Network) - Black Onyx has been scratched from Saturday's Kentucky Derby because of a chip fracture in his left ankle.

Trainer Kelly Breen said Friday a second set of x-rays revealed the chip after the first were inconclusive. It's a non-displaced fracture that will not end the colt's career.

"He's not feeling that bad because he tried to bite me," Breen said during a news conference Friday.

Black Onyx won the Spiral Stakes on March 23 at Turfway Park and was a 50-1 longshot in the morning line for the Derby.

The field will stay at 19 horses for the first jewel of the Triple Crown, as the deadline for also-eligibles had passed just a few hours before the announcement of Black Onyx's withdrawal.

Fear the Kitten could have taken the vacant spot if the scratch had come before the deadline.

Churchill Downs officials said Black Onyx's No. 1 post position will remain empty and the remaining 19 horses will break from their assigned starting gates.