Z Humor had an excellent juvenile campaign, finishing third to War Pass in the Champagne Stakes (G1) and third to Lantana Mob in the Sapling Stakes (G3).
His only discouraging performance came at the hands of War Pass in the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) in which he finished fifth, but bounced back on December 7 to dead-heat for victory with Turf War in the Boyd Gaming's Delta Jackpot Stakes (G3) at Delta Downs.
Trainer Bill Mott subsequently did a curious thing, certainly unusual for a horse on the Triple Crown Trail.
After the colt took the lead and then faded to fifth in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on February 16, Mott wheeled him right back on February 24 in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), where he finished fourth.
"He ran a good race," Mott said after the Fountain of Youth. "He got shuffled at the start, so we weren't able to be as close to the pace as we would have liked. We'll get together to plan his next race. It definitely will be longer than eight days."
Z Humor and Turf War each collected $400,000 for their Delta efforts, which will go a long way towards insuring they make the money earnings cut should they go on to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
April 27 - Five furlongs breezing in 1:01.20 at Churchill Downs, track fast. 27th best of 62 workouts at the distance.
April 17 - Four furlongs breezing in :47.60 at Churchill Downs, track fast. Third best of 25 workouts at the distance.