Yahoo! Sports - Horse Racing - Rockport Harbor to miss Arkansas Derby

Yahoo! Sports - Horse Racing - Rockport Harbor to miss Arkansas Derby: "HOT SPRINGS, Arkansas (Ticker) - Rockport Harbor will not participate in Saturday's $1 million Arkansas Derby, one of the final preparatory races for next month's Kentucky Derby.

The 3-year-old Rockport Harbor, who has been hampered by a series of ailments, including foot problems and a blood clot in his neck, completed a 7/8-mile run in 1:25.6 at Oaklawn Park on Sunday before the decision was made by trainer John Servis.

Rockport Harbor instead will start the $325,000 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland Race Track on April 23.

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'Rocky's work was fine, it was pretty much what we wanted,' Servis said. 'But it's clear he got tired at the end. He didn't gallop out the way he usually does and he was blowing pretty hard when he got back to the barn. He's just not ready for a tough race like the Arkansas Derby.'

Rockport Harbor, who won his four starts as a 2-year-old, could not hold onto a sizable lead in his first start after turning three, finishing runner-up to Greater Good in the Rebel Stakes here on March 19.

There still is optimism that Rockport Harbor will start the Kentucky Derby, which is scheduled for May 7. 'It all depends on the Lexington,' Servis said. 'If Rocky runs the way we expect, he'll go on to the Kentucky Derby. If not, we'll regroup and maybe point for the Preakness.'"