Last year, the Preakness Stakes was labeled as the next meeting in the intense rivalry between two West Coast colts, Nyquist and Exaggerator, who ran first and second, respectively, in the Kentucky Derby.
Exaggerator turned the tables and won the Preakness, with Nyquist finishing third. Southern California racing was on top.
This year the thinking is the exact opposite, and it's the absence of California horses that is so glaring.
What's that old blues song, if it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all?
The latest blow came Sunday when Royal Mo suffered a sesamoid fracture of his right front ankle during his last workout before Saturday's Preakness.
There was no initial indication that there was additional damage to the area around the fracture. He was vanned to the New Bolton Center, which is where the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Center is located.
The injury is certainly career ending, but if there are no complications it will not be life ending and he will be retired to the breeding shed.
Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens was on a five-furlong work with Royal Mo when he heard a pop. He immediately jumped off and supported the colt's leg until trainer John Shirreffs and a veterinarian arrived.
The horse was sedated and a splint was applied. He then was walked onto the horse ambulance and taken to the barn, where X-rays revealed the fracture.
"It's very difficult," Shirreffs said. "Our hopes and dreams were with Royal Mo. Mr. and Mrs. (Jerry and Ann) Moss and my wife, Dottie, were excited to see him run. We're all obviously devastated."
Perhaps the best horse in the country, and certainly in the West, Mastery was ruled off the Kentucky Derby trail when he suffered a condylar fracture of his front leg moments after winning the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita.
That leaves Term of Art as the only California-based horse in what is expected to be a 10-horse Preakness field.
"When you look at Royal Mo and Mastery ... Southern California was right in the mix if it wasn't for injuries," said Doug O'Neill, trainer of Term of Art.
Still, as is always the case after the Kentucky Derby, Triple Crown hopes can only rest with one horse, Always Dreaming, and he will be the top story line this week in Baltimore.
Here are a few others to ponder.
