Merus Miami to scratch from El Camino Real

ALBANY, Calif. - Trainer O.J. Jauregui said Friday he would scratch Merus Miami from Saturday's Grade 3, $200,000 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields.

Jauregui said the colt had a small abscess in his left front foot and had missed two days of training. He said that he would likely point the stakes-winning colt, who finished third in the California Derby, to the Grade 3, $200,000 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 28.

"The main thing is to make sure he's okay and then go from there," Jauregui said. "There are a lot of races for 3-year-olds."