Fast Enough, Shooters Shoot will miss Arkansas Derby

Fast Enough, who drew into the second division of the Arkansas Derby on Saturday at Oaklawn Park, will miss the race after reaggravating a shin injury that kept him sidelined last year, too, trainer Rafael Becerra said Tuesday.

In addition, trainer Peter Eurton on Tuesday said that Shooters Shoot, who was scheduled to run in the first division of the Arkansas Derby, had come up with a fever and would be scratched.

Fast Enough was scheduled to fly to Arkansas on Tuesday, but was pulled from the flight after emerging from his final work on Sunday with an injury.

"Disappointed," Becerra said. "Same thing that happened last summer with his shin."

Fast Enough worked a half-mile in 47 seconds on Sunday at Santa Anita, the fastest work of 62 at the distance that day. Becerra said Fast Enough was still at Santa Anita while a decision is made as to whether he needs surgery.

"Some of the doctors said he just needs time, some recommended surgery. We're not sure what we're going to do," Becerra said.

:: Arkansas Derby: News, fields, past performances, and more

Fast Enough, a gelding, was bred and is co-owned by Craig Martin. He has won twice in three starts, including the California Cup Derby in January. He most recently was third in the San Vicente Stakes on Feb. 9, beaten two lengths by Nadal, who would have been one of his rivals Saturday.

Fast Enough was scheduled to run in the Sunland Derby at the end of March, but that race was canceled when Sunland stopped racing. With the Santa Anita Derby postponed from its original April 4 date owing to the suspension of racing there, the Arkansas Derby became the next, and last, current option for Fast Enough.

"For a small barn like mine, it really hurts," Becerra said. "Just like last summer at Del Mar. He was in a race, got hurt in his last work. Twice now."

Fast Enough had drawn post 8 of the 11 who are in the second division of the Arkansas Derby. Both divisions are Grade 1, $500,000 races.

Shooters Shoot comes off an allowance win on April 11 at Oaklawn, which followed a maiden win on March 15 at Santa Anita. The Arkansas Derby would have been his stakes debut. He drew post 6 in the field of 11 entered in the first division of the Arkansas Derby.