Tiz the Law to Face Eight in Kentucky Jockey Club
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Tiz the Law wins the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park
Sackatoga Stable's Tiz the Law is taking his undefeated show on the road for the Kentucky Derby trail. The Champagne Stakes (G1) winner, based in New York with trainer Barclay Tagg, arrived at Churchill Downs Nov. 25 and heads a field on nine in the $300,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) Nov. 30.
The 1 1/16-mile feature for 2-year-olds awards points to the top four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 scale, which go toward a spot in the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) starting gate May 2.
Sackatoga Stable won the 2003 Kentucky Derby with Funny Cide, who was also trained by Tagg, and their members arrived at Churchill Downs by school bus. Managing partner Jack Knowlton said more than 50 people are expected at the Louisville track Saturday for Tiz the Law.
A New York-bred colt by Constitution , Tiz the Law won on debut Aug. 8 at Saratoga Race Course, drawing off by 4 1/4 lengths to win a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight. He returned in the Oct. 5 Champagne at Belmont Park, stumbled slightly at the start, and was held up by traffic before bursting clear to win by four lengths. He completed the mile in 1:35.41.
"He surprises us every day with what he has," Tagg said. "It's what we look for and hope for."
Video: Champagne S. (G1)
Jockey Manny Franco, who was aboard for the Champagne, will ride the white-faced bay again Saturday from post 3. Tiz the Law tuned up for the Kentucky Jockey Club with a bullet five-furlong breeze in :59 3/5 Nov. 23 at Belmont before shipping to Louisville.
Taking on Tiz the Law is Churchill-based South Bend, who is perfect in three starts. Trained by Stanley Hough for Sagamore Farm, South Bend has two wins over the Churchill dirt topped by the Oct. 27 Street Sense Stakes, run at one mile. The Algorithms colt broke his maiden Sept. 14 on the same track and captured an Oct. 5 allowance at Keeneland.
"He appears to be growing up and maturing," Hough said.
Julien Leparoux, aboard in all three of South Bend's previous starts, will retain the mount from post 4.
Walking L Thoroughbreds' Fighting Seabee, second beaten a length in the Street Sense, also returns Saturday. The Summer Front colt made his first three career starts on turf before switching to dirt in the Street Sense. He won first out at Ellis Park for trainer Kenny McPeek, then wired the 1 1/16-mile With Anticipation Stakes (G3T) at Saratoga. Fighting Seabee was fifth in Keeneland's Dixiana Bourbon Stakes (G3T) Oct. 6 before a strong rallying effort in the Street Sense.
Regular jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. will ride from post 2.
John Oxley's grade 1-placed Enforceable drew the rail. The son of Tapit out of multiple grade 2 winner Justwhistledixie is a full brother to multiple grade 2 winner and 2016 Kentucky Derby fourth Mohaymen , as well as this summer's La Jolla Handicap (G3T) winner Kingly. Mark Casse trains the two-turn Saratoga maiden winner, who last out was third in the Oct. 5 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland. Florent Geroux will ride.
Saturday's weather forecast for calls a high probability of rain, which could lead to an off track at Churchill. Tiz the Law, South Bend and many of the other leading contenders lack racing experience over a wet surface.
Churchill Downs, Saturday, November 30, 2019, Race 11Entries: Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Enforceable (KY)
Florent Geroux
122
Mark E. Casse
8/1
2
2Fighting Seabee (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
122
Kenneth G. McPeek
8/1
3
3Tiz the Law (NY)
Manuel Franco
122
Barclay Tagg
7/5
4
4South Bend (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
122
Stanley M. Hough
9/5
5
5Silver Prospector (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
122
Steven M. Asmussen
8/1
6
6Finnick the Fierce (KY)
Sonny Leon
122
Rey Hernandez
30/1
7
7New Eagle (KY)
Channing Hill
122
Michael J. Maker
20/1
8
8Two Last Words (IN)
Jose Riquelme
122
Tim Glyshaw
20/1
9
9Shotski (KY)
Sheldon Russell
122
Jeremiah O'Dwyer
12/1
