St Averil joins Wimbledon as Kentucky Derby scratches

<br>LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) _ St Averil joined injured Wimbledon on the sidelines Friday, reducing the Kentucky Derby field to 18 horses. <br><br>Trainer Rafael Becerra said the colt was scratched because

Friday, April 30th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) _ St Averil joined injured Wimbledon on the sidelines Friday, reducing the Kentucky Derby field to 18 horses.

Trainer Rafael Becerra said the colt was scratched because of tender front feet.

He trained for the Derby wearing special bar shoes, which were replaced Friday.

``I still wasn't satisfied with the way he's traveling,'' Becerra said. ``He's too nice a colt to take a chance with and he has a great future ahead of him.''

St Averil, a 30-1 shot on the morning line, finished second in the San Felipe Stakes, and was coming off a sixth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby on April 3.

The colt was to be taken to a Lexington farm, where he will be examined and recuperate.

``We think the problem is minor, but we want to make sure,'' said Tim McMurry, the bloodstock agent for owner Stan Fulton.

Becerra attended his only other Derby in 1984, when he helped Gary Jones prepare fourth-place finisher Fali Time. Tyler Baze was set to ride the California-based colt.

Trainer Bob Baffert scratched Wimbledon earlier Friday because of swelling in the colt's left front leg.