Vying Victor Will Be Entered but May Not Run in Arkansas Derby

Vying Victor will be entered in the $500,000 Arkansas Derby on Saturday even though he stepped on a nail earlier in the week and may not run, his trainer, Ian Jory, said Wednesday.

One day earlier, it appeared certain that Vying Victor, who won the Remington Park Derby and was second in the Jim Beam Stakes, would be unable to compete in the 1 1/8-mile event at Oaklawn Park.

“He was lame Tuesday, but he’s going in the right direction right now and we still may be able to run,” Jory said.

If Vying victor runs, the race will attract at least six 3-year-olds when entries are taken today.

Pine Bluff, winner of the Rebel at Oaklawn on March 28, and Lil E. Tee, winner of the Jim Beam on the same day, are expected to be the favorites. Big Sur, who beat Pine Bluff and Lil E. Tee in the one-mile Southwest at Oaklawn on March 7, is also expected to compete. Desert Force and Looks Like Money are also expected to be entered.