The odds are certainly in Tiz the Law’s favor as the son of Constitution landed Post 6 in the field of 8 3-yr-olds for Saturdays 1 1/4 mil Midsummer Derby at Saratoga Race Course ( 6:15 p.m. ET post time, Fox).
Bred by Twin Creeks Farm out of the Tiznow mare Tizfiz, Tiz the Law is a winner of five of six starts and is coming off back-to-back 1 1/8-mile wins under jockey Manny Franco in the Belmont Stakes and the Curlin Florida Derby (G1). In Knowlton’s estimation, he has displayed all the necessary characteristics to thrive at 10 furlongs in both the Travers and the Kentucky Derby, where he will be the only horse with a chance to sweep the revised Triple Crown.
“I feel a mile and a quarter will be right in his wheelhouse based on his races, his breeding, his gallop outs when he works. All of that says to me he should be better at a mile and a quarter than a mile and an eighth,” Knowlton said about the $110,000 buy from the Sequel New York consignment at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale. “Hopefully I’m right. If he performs like I think he should, it will give him a big edge for the Kentucky Derby.
“I don’t think any distance matters to this horse.”
With coronavirus closings disrupting racing schedules, the 151st Travers is actually serving the unique role as a prep for the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. Though 100-40-20-10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points will be awarded to the top four finishers in the $1 million Travers, Tiz the Law is already assured of a spot in the Run for the Roses with a leaderboard-topping 272 points.
Reflecting on how Tiz the Law has remained in top form throughout a long and strange year that started with a Feb. 1 win in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3), Knowlton believes Tagg deserves praise—and Hall of Fame consideration—for his ability to keep the 3-year-old sharp through layoffs of nine weeks, eight weeks, 12 weeks, and now seven weeks.
“To keep a horse sharp for six months, Barclay gets tremendous kudos,” Knowlton said. “Tiz the Law looks like he’s ready to fire. There’s no question he’s coming up to the Travers better than he did for the Belmont Stakes.”
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By Bob Ehalt
August 5, 2020
Bloodhorse
