Tagg Begins to Plot Next Derby Prep for Tiz the Law

Trainer Barclay Tagg cashed in on his consummate horsemanship during the 2003 Triple Crown campaign, saddling a headstrong New York-bred gelding for victories in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1).

Tagg's proven record with Funny Cide can only serve him well this year as he oversees the training of Tiz the Law, the grade 1-winning colt who stamped himself as an elite 3-year-old with a three-length victory in the Feb. 1 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

Like Funny Cide, Tiz the Law is a New York-bred owned by Jack Knowlton's Sackatoga Stable, but unlike Funny Cide, the son of Constitution  is a colt whose behavior has been exemplary.

"He's just been a dream. He's got energy—a big, strong horse, not a real big horse, but he's big in a lot of ways," Tagg said. "He's always trained perfectly. He's always done everything we've asked him to do. He's been flawless, and his races have been exciting."

The March 28 Xpressbet.com Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream or March 21 TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots are likely targets for Tiz the Law's next start.

The Holy Bull was the third win in four starts for Tiz the Law, whose résumé also includes a debut victory, a score in the Champagne Stakes (G1), and a troubled third in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2).

"We liked him when we bought him, and everything's turned out so far," said Tagg, who handpicked Tiz the Law, a $110,000 purchase by Knowlton from the Sequel New York consignment at the Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearlings Sale.

Two Turns Not Likely for Mischevious Alex

Cash is King and LC Racing's Mischevious Alex offered a highly professional performance of his own to capture the Swale Stakes (G3) Saturday at Gulfstream.

The John Servis-trained colt won the seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds by seven lengths after recovering from a minor bump at the start, settling into stride while attending the pace from the inside along the backstretch, and drawing away under Irad Ortiz Jr.

"Irad was raving about him," Servis said. "He's push-button. He pricks his ears and waits for you to call on him. That's the kind of horse you need."

It is, however, highly unlikely that Mischevious Alex will join Tiz the Law on the Triple Crown trail or return in a two-turn race.

"He's got such a good mind on him, he'll just sit wherever you want, so that will carry him some," Servis said. "But I don't know if that's in our plans.

"If he's doing good, he's going to have to show me he wants that, but I don't think he does," he added. "I don't want to put him on the trail and, next thing, you end up with no horse at the end of the year."

Servis said the March 7 Gotham Stakes (G3), a one-turn mile at Aqueduct Racetrack, is under consideration for Mischevious Alex's next start.