Tiz a Slam Defends Title in Nijinsky Stakes
Image:
Description:
Photo: Michael Burns
Tiz a Slam repeats in the Nijinsky Stakes at Woodbine
Chiefswood Stable's Tiz a Slam was a repeat winner in the CA$197,050 (US$149,679) Nijinsky Stakes (G2T) after delivering a strong front-end performance July 28 at Woodbine.
With Steven Bahen aboard, even-money favorite Tiz a Slam led most of the way in the event contested over 1 1/2 miles on the E.P. Taylor turf course.
Leaving from post 5, the Roger Attfield trainee took the lead during the first quarter and never looked back en route to a 4 1/4-length victory in the field of seven. Sir Sahib and Pumpkin Rumble, both trained by Kevin Attard, closed from the back to finish second and third, respectively.
The race was hand-timed in 2:24.45, and the unofficial clocking is under review and will be confirmed by the stewards Wednesday evening. The track record is 2:25.60, set by Raintrap in 1994.
"He ran very well," said Bahen. "We got to where we like to be and he doddled along again, and when I heard them coming and asked him, he just took off again.
"Roger's got him really good right now. He's a very happy horse, and he's just showing it when he runs."
Riding a three-race win streak in graded stakes, the homebred 5-year-old son of Tiznow out of the Grand Slam mare Flaming Rose is on top of his game for the Hall of Fame trainer. Tiz a Slam entered the Nijinsky following a pair of grade 3 victories in the May 18 Louisville Stakes at Churchill Downs and the June 22 Singspiel Stakes at Woodbine.
"He was a big, big horse just taking a long time to actually reach total maturity, which he has now," said Attfield. "We've looked after him really well, he's sound, and, like I say, when they reach full maturity and they're sound and they're happy, they're only going to give you their best, and that's what he's doing for us."
Tiz a Slam boasts nine wins from 26 starts and $969,699 in earnings.
The only other horse to win back-to-back editions of the Nijinsky was Windward Islands in 2010 and 2011. Attfield picked up his second victory in this event after scoring in 2015 with Are You Kidding Me.
Attfield said Tiz a Slam is likely headed to the Northern Dancer Turf Stakes (G1T) Sept. 14 at Woodbine.