Tiz the Law Arrives at Churchill, Honor A. P. Gallops

Tiz the Law is in the house at Churchill Downs.

The favorite for the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) arrived at the track the morning of Sept. 1 with a group of horses from New York after a flight to Louisville. About two dozen people watched his arrival at Barn 20 on the backstretch following the 3-year-old's short van ride from the Louisville airport.

The Constitution  colt didn't turn a hair coming off the horse van and proceeded to take several rounds around the barn, the standard procedure after a horse travels. He made a nice, healthy appearance, and seemed unrattled by his new surroundings.

Tiz the Law making a few rounds in barn 20 at Churchill Downs after his arrival for #KYDerby pic.twitter.com/eHRZUSn6sS

— Byron King (@BH_BKing) September 1, 2020

Tiz the Law moved into the barn adjacent to the regular Churchill Downs stable of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, who won the 2019 Derby with Country House upon the disqualification of Maximum Security for interference.

The Derby journey marks the Barclay Tagg trainee's second trip to Churchill. Last fall he finished third with an inside trip over a sloppy track in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) in his final start at 2, his only defeat in seven starts. This year he is 4-for-4, having won the Holy Bull Stakes (G3), Curlin Florida Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1), and Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1).

Among those eagerly awaiting him were Tagg and Jack Knowlton, the operating manager and founder of Sackatoga Stable, his ownership group. Other members of Sackatoga were also at Churchill Downs.

Sackatoga and Tagg won the Kentucky Derby in 2003, memorably traveling to the race that day via the school bus. They hope to head to Churchill Downs similarly for Saturday's contest, provided any late COVID-19 rules don't prevent it, Knowlton said.

While awaiting Tiz the Law's arrival, Knowlton expressed his disappointment for the connections of Art Collector, who was not entered in the Derby after developing a minor foot issue.

"I feel very badly for them," he said. "We were looking forward to running against that horse because (of what) he's accomplished. I think in most people's minds he would have been the second favorite. To lose a horse of that magnitude is devastating, obviously, to the ownership group, the trainer, the jockey, particularly (trainer Tommy Drury) because he's not a Derby kind of guy, historically. I can't imagine how they must feel."

Tagg said it brought back memories of the summer of 2003 when Funny Cide had to be scratched from the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Knowlton lives in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and other Sackatoga members are New York residents.

"Barclay never lets me have peace because he's always talking about the 99 things that can happen," he said. "He's talking about it here. He doesn't want people making noise. The horse spooks a little bit and bumps (himself) on the trailer. Things like that happen all the time."

Later after the Tuesday post position draw, Tagg appeared at ease. He said the entire shipping process was uneventful.

While Tiz the Law was in the air Tuesday, a number of California horses took to the track after arriving a day earlier. One of these was C R K Stable's Honor A. P., who has now assumed the role as the second favorite in the Derby with the absence of Art Collector. The Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner galloped over the main track for the first time while trainer John Shirreffs watched the son of Honor Code  from the backstretch.

Shirreffs, who won the 2005 Derby with Giacomo before a packed grandstand at Churchill, won't get to experience the same energy before a fanless Derby Saturday. Only participating horsemen, owners and owners' guests, and limited media are permitted amid COVID-19 and racial justice protests that could occur near the track.

"Right now as a trainer you're focused on your horse," he said. "Everything that is going on around you is just stuff, you know what I mean? The main thing is watching your horse and taking care of it. I think for us, our focus is somewhere else."

Tiz the Law and the other final Derby arrivals from New York are expected to train Sept. 2.