Owner Jess Jackson has been investing a lot of money in thoroughbreds and he seemed ready for a quick return on his dollars, but horse racing is never that easy.
Trainer Steve Asmussen has been there before, but he was ready to make travel plans for Louisville when the perfect plan came unraveled at the Fairgrounds.
It does seem that this time of year, even before the serious Derby preps begin, that a promising two year old from last year, comes up lame in the first month of his three year old season. Maybe it was a hard two year old campaign, the side effects of a growth spurt, or just bad luck, but the Derby trail can be a cruel path.
Other horses will quickly step up to take the place of Tiz Wonderful, and February 3rd will feature some early showdowns.
In California, the mile and an eighth Sham Stakes is becoming a really good Derby prep. The Sham has advanced from a Friday night feature race to a Grade II test that is just an eighth of a mile short of Derby distance.
Possibles for the Sham, include Doug O'Neill's Liquidity and Todd Pletcher's fast maiden winner Ravel. Ravel won at a mile and a sixteenth race in 1:41:4/5.
Across the country, the east coast hopefuls start firing in the Holy Bully at Gulfstream. That's the race that produced Funnycide several years ago. Pletcher's Scat Daddy is likely to make his 2007 debut that day, and Gulfstream stakes races are never easy.
The next week, on Feb. 10th, three year olds take the next step in New Orleans with the Risen Star Stakes at the Fairgrounds. Circular Quay from the Pletcher barn will likely be the star attraction, but he could run into Notional, who has already won the Grade II San Rafael in California.
They are some of the early favorites for the Kentucky Derby. Who do you like?