Shooters Shoot marks a second Arkansas Derby defection
In the two days since the Arkansas Derby (G1) draw, both of the race's divisions have seen a defection.
Trainer Peter Eurton said Tuesday on an NTRA media teleconference that the recent Oaklawn Park allowance winner Shooters Shoot will scratch from the first Arkansas Derby flight led by Charlatan.
On Monday, trainer Rafael Becerra had also told Horse Racing Nation that Fast Enough would not ship from California for the second Arkansas Derby division led by Nadal with a shin issue.
Eurton said Shooters Shoot, who has remained at Oaklawn between starts, had a fever Tuesday morning and didn't finish his feed.
"Unfortunately, he caught a virus," Eurton said. "He's doing well. He'll be fine."
But, the trainer added, "it's very disappointing."
The Competitive Edge colt exited a gutsy victory over Blackberry Wine going 1 1/16 miles on April 11 in a race where third place was left chasing more than five lengths back.
ERJ Racing, Exline-Border Racing and Dan Hudock campaign Shooters Shoot, who broke his maiden two starts back when stretching out at Santa Anita Park. Before that, he ran into Charlatan in a one-turn event and was no match that day for the eventual Arkansas Derby division favorite.
Both Arkansas Derbys will now move forward with 10 contenders apiece. Eurton and two-thirds of Shooters Shoot's ownership group will also be represented by reigning 2-year-old champ Storm the Court in the second division.