Red Ruby's return to racing, a long time coming, is going to be extended a bit more in length.

Unraced since winning the Grade 3 Delaware Oaks by 13 lengths last July - after which she was sidelined by a splint injury, bone bruising, and later a paddock accident - she was being pointed toward a return in Saturday's Grade 2 Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs on the Stephen Foster undercard, but now will miss the race after "tying up" last week, trainer Kellyn Gorder said Tuesday.

"Tying up" refers to muscle cramping that can cause stiffness and pain. It is most common in high-strung horses, particularly fillies, often after times of physical stress or anxiety. 

Gorder said Tuesday that she was "still a little off" and is seeking to find what led to the tying-up episode. X-rays initially taken came back normal, and more diagnostic work is planned in about 10 days.

Even if she gets a clean bill of health at that point, Gorder believes this setback may also compromise her chances of starting in the July 13 Delaware Handicap, a Grade 2, $750,000 race that had been a summer goal, with the Fleur de Lis serving as a prep race for it.

A 4-year-old daughter of Tiznow owned by Brandi Nicholson and Sandra Sexton, Red Ruby last breezed June 1 at Gorder's Keeneland base, covering six furlongs in 1:11.80 seconds. A scheduled workout this past weekend was scrapped.

Even without Red Ruby, the Grade 2, $250,000 Fleur de Lis, a "Win and You're In" challenge race for the Breeders' Cup Distaff,  is expected to attract a top-flight field of older fillies and mares. Six others are considered probable for the race, contested at 1 1/8 miles on dirt, led by Grade 1 winners Blue Prize, Elate, and She's a Julie. Auspicious Babe, Go Google Yourself and Skeptic are other likely starters.

Entries for the Fleur de Lis, as well as the entire Saturday card at Churchill Downs, will be taken Wednesday.