Kentucky Derby 2018 hopeful Avery Island sidelined

Multiple graded stakes winner Avery Island, a top 2018 Kentucky Derby hopeful with multiple graded stakes victories, has been sidelined having "done something to himself," trainer Kiaran McLaughlin announced on Godolphin.com.

The last-out winner of the Grade 3 Withers Stakes, who was pointing to the March 24 Louisiana Derby, will ship Tuesday from Florida to Kentucky to be inspected at the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital.

The nature of Avery Island's injury was not disclosed.

“It’s very disappointing for all of us here at Godolphin," McLaughlin said, "and plans are on hold until we know more about the injury."

By Street Sense, Avery Island is a Godolphin homebred who also won the Grade 2 Nashua and ran second in the Grade 2 Remsen as a juvenile. The Louisiana Derby was anticipated to be his final prep; assuming he misses it, the colt has until the weekend of Saturday, April 14, to return in another points-paying race.

With 14 points earned so far on the Derby trail, he'd need to collect more, likely as many as 30, to qualify for the Kentucky Derby.