One Early Favorite Is Out of Derby

It happens every year: At least one leading Kentucky Derby candidate drops out. This year, it has happened early and to potentially one of the best. Trainer Neil Drysdale said Friday that Fusaichi Samurai, as the result of a training injury at Hollywood Park, would miss the Derby.

“Everything has to go according to plan to win the Derby, and this certainly wasn’t part of the plan,” said Drysdale, who won the Derby with Fusaichi Pegasus, the sire of Fusaichi Samurai, in 2000.

Drysdale said that three days after a six-furlong workout on Jan. 21, some stiffness was detected in Fusaichi Samurai’s left hind leg. After a discussion with Fusao Sekiguchi, the Tokyo businessman who bought the unraced Fusaichi Samurai for $4.5 million at auction last year, the decision was made to rest the colt. Sekiguchi also raced Fusaichi Pegasus, whom he bought for $4 million.

The Kentucky Derby future books at Bally’s/Paris in Las Vegas had been listing Fusaichi Samurai as the 7-1 co-favorite, with Declan’s Moon and Rockport Harbor. The Derby will be run at Churchill Downs on May 7.

Drysdale said that he did not know how long Fusaichi Samurai would be sidelined and whether his recuperation period would be at Hollywood Park or at a farm. “This is a very talented horse, and we want to do what is right by him,” Drysdale said. “He showed brilliance in his only race and still has a bright future.”

Fusaichi Samurai scored a sharp maiden win on Dec. 11 at Hollywood Park. After the race, his jockey, Victor Espinoza, waxed enthusiastic about the performance, suggesting that the colt could be the best horse he has ever ridden. Fusaichi Samurai had been preparing to run in the San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 13.