Unlucky Slew's Tizzy Likely for Louisiana Derby

(from Fair Grounds notes)
Joseph Lacombe Stable's Slew’s Tizzy, who clipped heels and lost his jockey James Graham in Fair Grounds’ Risen Star Stakes (gr. III), is increasing likely to return for the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) March 10, according to trainer Greg Fox.

“I’ve recovered – pretty much – from that incredible experience,” Fox said earlier this week from Lexington, Ky., of Slew’s Tizzy’s errant outing in the Risen Star Feb. 10.  “And as for the horse, he’s doing very well back here in Kentucky.  He appears completely sound, and I’d love to run him back (in the Louisiana Derby). He loves the track, and I honestly think he was going to be part of the finish in that last race. I won’t say he would have won it, but I think he would have been a part of it.

“Also, I love racing at Fair Grounds and I want to stick with it there,” said Fox. “I’ve had some success there this season, and depending on who’s likely to come in for the next one, I’d like to try this horse again. I think he belongs. That was a tremendously deep field last time, but he was doing all right (until the trouble).”

Graham has had his share of scary spills at Fair Grounds this winter.

Fortunately, Graham recovered quickly enough from the Slew’s Tizzy spill to ride the winner of the next race that afternoon, and he’s also accomplished that rare back-to-back feat previously this season.

“It seems like every time I’ve hit the ground (this season), I’ve come back and won the next race,” said Graham, “but I’d just as soon not make a habit of it.”

However, he was quickly ready to assess his chances with Slew’s Tizzy in the Risen Star prior to clipping heels entering the stretch.

“I had plenty of horse,” said Graham. “I just had nowhere to go.  I hadn’t even asked him for his run. He was just flicking his ears all ready to go when it happened. I think if we’d had a little more racing luck (Slew’s Tizzy) would have made a race of it.”