Tender foot might knock El Kabeir out of Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – El Kabeir’s status for Saturday’s 141st Kentucky Derby might be in doubt after the colt showed tenderness in his left front foot Friday morning, forcing the gray colt to remain in the barn rather than train.

His connections said they would work on the foot Friday and hope to train him Saturday morning, at which time they would decide whether to run.

“If he is not sound, he will be scratched,” said Justin Zayat, the son of and racing manager for his father, Ahmed Zayat.

Trainer John Terranova said he noticed that El Kabeir took a few funny steps coming out of his stall Friday morning. Thus, instead of galloping for a second straight morning, he was kept in the barn.

Terranova said El Kabeir has “got a little tender spot" on the inside quarter of his left front foot. Terranova said El Kabeir will be tubbed in hot water and Epsom salts today, and he hopes to be able to train the colt a little bit Saturday morning.

"If he's fine to go tomorrow, we'll go," he said. "We'll do what we always do, which is do right by the horse."

El Kabeir has galloped only once since he worked at Belmont Park last Saturday and then vanned to Churchill Downs the following day. Terranova said he’s not worried about fitness since the colt has had nine races, including four this year.

“He’s dead-fit,” Terranova said.

El Kabeir, the winner of the Jerome and Gotham stakes this year as well as the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes last year, is one of three horses entered by Ahmed Zayat, who also has the favorite, American Pharoah, and longshot Mr. Z. El Kabeir is scheduled to be ridden by Calvin Borel, a three-time Kentucky Derby winner.

Even if El Kabeir scratches, that won’t enable also-eligible entrant Tale of Verve to draw into the race. Tale of Verve had to be scratched at 9 a.m. Friday when wagering opened for the Oaks and the Derby.