LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Stan E. Fulton's St Averil has been withdrawn from Saturday's 130th Kentucky Derby, trainer Rafael Becerra announced late Friday morning. Also scratched from the race this morning was Wimbledon by trainer Bob Baffert.

Becerra cited problems with St Averil's front feet as the reason for the declaration of the stakes-winning Saint Ballado colt. "His feet have been tender," said Becerra. "We reshod him this morning, taking off the bar shoes he's been training in, but I still wasn't satisfied with the way he's traveling.

"He's too nice a colt to take a chance with and he has a great future ahead of him."

St Averil will be transported to Greenfield Farm in Lexington today where he will be examined and allowed to recuperate.

Tim McMurry, owner Fulton's bloodstock adviser in Kentucky, said the shoes will be removed from the colt and he will examined. "We think the problem is minor, but we want to make sure. We have access to Rood and Riddle's Equine Clinic and all of its diagnostic equipment."

St Averil, a $500,000 yearling buy, was considered one of the top three-year-olds in California this winter after a victory in the Santa Catalina Stakes and a narrow defeat by a nose to Preachinatthebar in the San Felipe Stakes. However, he was a disappointing sixth as the 2-1 favorite in the Santa Anita Derby and because of tenderness in his front feet became a question mark for the Kentucky Derby.

After working six furlongs in 1:11 4/5 at Santa Anita last Saturday to the satisfaction of Becerra, St Averil was shipped to Louisville on Monday to complete his Derby preparations.

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