Churchill Downs Barn Notes: Tiz the Law Made 7-5 Favorite in Saturday's Kentucky Jockey Club

Nov 28, 2019 Kevin Kerstein,Churchill Downs Communications

Sackatoga Stable’s Tiz the Law was made the 7-5 morning line favorite by veteran oddsmaker Mike Battaglia for Saturday’s $300,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (Grade II) – the co-featured event on Saturday’s penultimate day of racing at the 2019 Fall Meet.

Trained by 2003 Kentucky Derby-winning conditioner Barclay Tagg, the undefeated Grade I winner has gotten to know Churchill Downs well over the last two days by schooling in both the paddock and starting gate.

“He’s got a good way about him,” Tagg said. “He’s interested in many things in his life but he doesn’t act silly. He’s all business on the racetrack.”

Tiz the Law galloped 1 ½ miles Thursday morning at Churchill Downs with exercise rider Heather Smullen aboard, the niece of Tagg’s longtime assistant trainer Robin Smullen.

The son of Constitution will attempt to become the first New York-bred horse to win the Kentucky Jockey Club since Eugene Klein’s Notebook won the 1 1/16-mile race in 1987.

“We rarely buy anything but New York breds,” Sackatoga Stable’s managing partner Jack Knowlton said. “This was a very different situation purchasing him than it was for Funny Cide – not to mention this horse is a colt and not a gelding. We’re still a very small operation but we have big dreams like everyone else.”

The Kentucky Jockey Club – a “Prep Season” race on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” in which the Top 4 finishers will receive 10-4-2-1 points, respectively – goes as Race 11 at 5:56 p.m. (all times Eastern). First post is 1 p.m. The co-featured $300,000 Golden Rod (GII) for fillies is Race 9 at 4:57 p.m.

Billed as “Stars of Tomorrow II,” each of the 12 races on Saturday’s card are exclusively for 2-year-olds that may have aspirations of trail blazing their way to next spring’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) and Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI).

The complete field for the Kentucky Jockey Club from the rail out (with jockey and trainer): Enforceable (Florent Geroux, Mark Casse, 8-1); Fighting Seabee (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek, 8-1); Tiz the Law (Manny Franco, Tagg, 7-5); South Bend (Julien Leparoux, Stan Hough, 9-5); Silver Prospector (Ricardo Santana Jr., Steve Asmussen, 8-1); Finnick the Fierce (Sonny Leon, Rey Hernandez, 30-1); New Eagle (Channing Hill, Mike Maker, 20-1); Two Last Words (Jose Riquelme, Tim Glyshaw, 20-1); and Shotski (Sheldon Russell, Jerry O’Dwyer, 12-1).

All horses will tote 122 pounds.

Inaugurated in 2005, the Stars of Tomorrow programs at Churchill Downs have helped launch the careers of more than 50 future Grade I winners including: Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver; Horse of the Year and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Gun Runner; 2011 Preakness and 2012 Met Mile and Clark winner Shackleford and Kentucky Oaks winners Rachel Alexandra, Believe You Can and Monomoy Girl.

RAGS TO RICHES WINNER FINITE MADE 7-5 CHOICE IN GOLDEN ROD – Winchell Thoroughbreds, Thomas Reiman, William Dickson and Deborah Easter’s impressive $123,859 Rags to Riches winner Finite will break from the rail as the 7-5 favorite in Saturday’s 76^th running of the $300,000 Golden Rod (Grade II) at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Finite scored an impressive six-length win in the Rags to Riches under jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. The chestnut filly by Munnings broke her maiden two starts ago on the turf at Kentucky Downs. The Golden Rod will be Finite’s first test running at two turns.

The 1 1/16-mile race is the co-headliner on the second-to-last of the 26-day Fall Meet. Billed as “Stars of Tomorrow II,” each of the 12 races is exclusively for 2-year-olds.

The complete field for the Golden Rod (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds): Finite (Santana, Asmussen, 7-5); Turtle Trax (Julien Leparoux, Ian Wilkes, 6-1); She Can’t Sing (Corey Lanerie, Chris Block, 8-1); Bean (Florent Geroux, Larry Rivelli, 12-1); Lady Glamour (Julie Burke, Larry Demeritte, 12-1); His Glory (James Graham, Tom Amoss, 7-2); Ivyetsu (Tyler Gaffalione, Rusty Arnold II, 12-1); and Motu (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek, 5-1).

All fillies will carry 119 pounds.

The Golden Rod – a “Prep Season” race on the “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” in which the Top 4 finishers will receive 10-4-2-1 points, respectively – goes as Race 9 at 4:57 p.m. (all times Eastern). First post is 1 p.m. The co-featured $300,000 Kentucky Jockey (GII), which attracted 14 colts and geldings, is Race 11 at 5:56 p.m.

IMPROVING 3-YEAR-OLD OWENDALE HOPES TO CAP CAMPAIGN WITH UPSET VICTORY IN FRIDAY’S CLARK – Rupp Racing’s multiple Grade III-winning colt Owendale will attempt to become the fourth 3-year-old in the last seven years to win the $600,000 Clark Presented by Norton Healthcare (Grade I) – the marquee race of Churchill Downs’ Fall Meet.

“He’s done everything right to be ready to run a big effort in the Clark,” trainer Brad Cox said. “I think it was a combination of things that didn’t go right last out (a 10^th place finish in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic) but with a clean trip he’s set to run a good race.

“He worked very impressively last time out (five furlongs in 1:00.80 in company with Blended Citizen) and really galloped out well around the turn.”

Owendale, a son of Into Mischief, has improved in the back half of his 3-year-old campaign with victories in the $500,000 Ohio Derby (GIII) and $400,000 Ohio Derby. Friday’s Clark will be Owendale’s second test facing older company.

The Clark heads a duo of stakes races on the 12-race “Black Friday” card on the day after Thanksgiving that is traditionally the most popular racing day Churchill Downs’ Fall Meet. The main event is scheduled as the 11^th race at 5:56 p.m. (all times Eastern) on the Friday program that also features the 29^th running of the $300,000 Mrs. Revere (GII) for 3-year-old fillies on turf. Post time for Friday’s first race is 1 p.m.

The complete Clark field from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds): Draft Pick (Joe Talamo, Peter Eurton, 12-1); Tom’s d’Etat (Joel Rosario, Al Stall Jr., 8-5); Mocito Rojo (Filemon Rodriguez, Shane Wilson, 15-1); Major Cabbie (Paco Lopez, Peter Miller, 15-1); Snapper Sinclair (Ricardo Santana Jr., Steve Asmussen, 15-1); Fact Finding (Corey Lanerie, Charlie LoPresti, 30-1); Mr. Buff (Junior Alvarado, John Kimmel, 12-1); Owendale (Geroux, Cox, 10-1); Mr Freeze (Robby Albarado, Dale Romans, 8-1); Bravazo (Luis Saez, D. Wayne Lukas, 8-1); Seeking the Soul (Brian Hernandez Jr., Dallas Stewart, 5-1); Pioneer Spirit (David Cohen, Robertino Diodoro, 12-1).

New for 2019, the Clark is no longer a handicap race. All horses will tote 121 pounds with the exception of Grade I winner Seeking the Soul, who will carry 123 pounds, and 3-year-old Owendale at 118 pounds.

CASSE HOPES HARD LEGACY CAPS OFF HER 3-YEAR-OLD CAMPAIGN WITH MRS. REVERE WIN – Philanthropist and longtime horse owner Marylou Whitney passed away in July and while she may not be with us, her horses remain in training. One of those horses, $150,000 Regret (Grade III) winner Hard Legacy, will hope to cap her 3-year-old season with a victory in Saturdays’ $300,000 Mrs. Revere (GII).

“To have the opportunity to train for someone like Marylou has been unbelievable to my career,” trainer Norm Casse said. “She may not be here any long her but her horses are. This horse has run some strong races this year including her win in the Regret. I think she fits right with this field.

“Churchill Downs is my home and it’s very special to have a horse running in this race.”

The Mrs. Revere, a 1 1/16-mile turf event for 3-year-old fillies is the co-headliner on Friday’s 12-race card at Churchill Downs alongside the $600,000 Clark Presented by Norton Healthcare. The Mrs. Revere is carded as Race 9 at 4:57 p.m. while the Clark will run two races later at 5:56 p.m.

Julien Leparoux, who holds the record for the most victories in the Mrs. Revere (four), will ride Hard Legacy, a three-time winner by Hard Spun.

The field for the Mrs. Revere from the rail out (with jockey, trainer and morning line odds): Julia’s Ready (Martin Garcia, David Vance, 50-1); Nay Lady Nay (Junior Alvarado, Chad Brown, 5-1); Proud Emma (Paco Lopez, Peter Miller, 15-1); Dalika (Luis Saez, Al Stall Jr., 6-1); Winning Envelope (Brian Hernandez Jr., Chris Block, 15-1); Winter Sunset (Channing Hill, Wayne Catalano, 10-1); Hard Legacy (Leparoux, Casse, 10-1); She’sonthewarpath (Chantal Sutherland, Steve Margolis, 30-1); Passionof the Nile (Florent Geroux, Rodolphe Brisset, 50-1); Amandrea (Ricardo Santana Jr., Steve Asmussen, 12-1); Delta’s Kingdom (Joe Talamo, Bill Mott, 15-1); New and Improved (Joel Rosario, Chad Brown, 3-1); Wildlife (Corey Lanerie, Vicki Oliver, 15-1); The Mackem Bullet (Tyler Gaffalione, Ward, 4-1).

FIRST KENTUCKY DERBY FUTURE WAGER OF YEAR OPENS THURSDAY; INDEPENDENCE HALL, STORM THE COURT LISTED AT 12-1 ON MORNING LINE – Unbeaten Nashua Stakes (Grade III) winner Independence Hall and upset Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) winner Storm the Court are among the 24 betting interests in Pool 1 of the 2020 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which kicks off a four-day run at Churchill Downs on Thanksgiving Day.

Both Independence Hall and Storm the Court were made 12-1 individual co-favorites on veteran odds maker Mike Battaglia’s morning line. The pari-mutuel field of “All Other 3-Year-Old Colts and Geldings” is expected to be the overall first-pool favorite for the 22nd consecutive year and Battaglia projects it to close as the 6-5 choice.

In addition to Independence Hall and Storm the Court, other promising juveniles expected to attract attention at the betting windows include Dennis’ Moment (15-1), the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile favorite who finished sixth after going to his knees at the start; impressive Breeders’ Futurity (GI) winner Maxfield (15-1); runaway Champagne (GI) winner Tiz the Law (20-1), who’ll headline Saturday’s $300,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) at Churchill Downs; and Honor A.P. (20-1), a swift maiden winner who is expected to make his next start in the $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (GII) on Dec. 7.

Here’s the complete Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 field (with trainer and morning line odds): #1 American Theorem (George Papaprodromou, 50-1); #2 Anneau d’Or (Blaine Wright, 20-1); #3 Answer In (Brad Cox, 50-1); #4 Authentic (20-1, Bob Baffert); #5 Basin (Steve Asmussen, 15-1); #6 Dennis’ Moment (Dale Romans, 15-1); #7 Eight Rings (Baffert, 15-1); #8 Gouverneur Morris (Todd Pletcher, 20-1); #9 Great Power (Simon Callaghan, 50-1); #10 Green Light Go (Jimmy Jerkens, 50-1); #11 High Velocity (Baffert, 20-1); #12 Honor A. P. (John Shirreffs, 20-1); #13 Independence Hall (Mike Trombetta, 12-1); #14 Maxfield (Brendan Walsh, 15-1); #15 Scabbard (Eddie Kenneally, 50-1); #16 South Bend (Stan Hough, 30-1); #17 Storm the Court (Peter Eurton, 12-1); #18 Structor (Chad Brown, 20-1); #19 Thousand Words (Baffert, 15-1); #20 Three Technique (Jeremiah Englehart, 50-1); #21 Tiz the Law (Barclay Tagg, 20-1); #22 Wrecking Crew (Peter Miller, 50-1); #23 “All 3-Year-Old Fillies” (30-1); and #24 “All Other 3-Year-Old Colts and Geldings” (6-5).

The pool, which features $2 Win and Exacta wagering, opens Thursday and will close Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.

The Kentucky Derby Future Wager will be offered concurrently with the fifth annual Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager, which provides bettors with a unique opportunity to wager on select breeding stars and their entire crop of juveniles with the hope of winning next year’s Kentucky Derby.

Offspring sired by Constitution – including Independence Hall, Tiz the Law and Breeders’ Futurity (GI) runner-up Gouverneur Morris – are 6-1 on the morning line for the Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager. Offspring sired by popular 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah are listed at 8-1.

Here’s the Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager field (with morning line odds): #1 American Pharoah (8-1); #2 Bernardini (30-1); #3 Bodemeister (20-1); #4 Candy Ride (ARG) (20-1); #5 Constitution (6-1); #6 Curlin (12-1); #7 Declaration of War (30-1); #8 Empire Maker (20-1); #9 Hard Spun (30-1); #10 Honor Code (30-1); #11 Into Mischief (20-1); #12 Liam’s Map (30-1); #13 Medaglia d’Oro (20-1); #14 More Than Ready (30-1); #15 Pioneerof the Nile (20-1); #16 Quality Road (20-1); #17 Shackleford (30-1); #18 Speightstown (30-1); #19 Street Sense (15-1); #20 Tapit (12-1); #21 Tiznow (15-1); #22 Uncle Mo (20-1); #23 Union Rags (20-1); and #24 “All Other Sires” (4-1).

This marks the seventh consecutive year that Churchill Downs has hosted Future Wager pools in November on closing weekend of its Fall Meet. “All Other 3-Year-Olds” has won four of the last six years: California Chrome ($3.20 in 2014), Always Dreaming ($4.40 in 2017), Justify ($4.40) and Country House ($4.60). An early Pool 1 win bet on eventual Triple Crown winner American Pharoah netted $27.60 in 2015, and Nyquist’s 2016 Derby victory resulted in a $21.80 payoff.

Free past performances are available for both pools, courtesy of Brisnet.com: Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 PPs; Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager PPs.

FREE BRISNET PAST PERFORMANCES FOR WEEKEND STAKES – Brisnet.com will help the holiday handicapping with free past performances for each of Churchill Downs’ graded stakes on the closing Thanksgiving weekend.

Past Performances links: Falls City; Cardinal; Clark; Mrs. Revere; Kentucky Jockey Club; and Golden Rod.

CHURCHILL DOWNS, FAIR GROUNDS TO OFFER ‘FLEUR DE LIS’ PICK 4 SATURDAY – For the second consecutive year, Churchill Downs Racetrack and Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will team to offer horseplayers a cross-track Pick 4 on Saturday, Nov. 30.

Billed as the “Fleur de Lis Pick 4,” bettors will be required to pick the winners of four races late Saturday afternoon: two races at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, La. and two stakes events at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

The minimum wager on the Fleur de Lis Pick 4 is 50 cents. Fair Grounds will serve as host of the wager.

Here’s the sequence for the unique Fleur de Lis Pick 4:

Leg 1: Fair Grounds Race 7 (4:35 p.m. ET)

Leg 2: Churchill Downs Race 9 (4:57 p.m. ET)

Leg 3: Fair Grounds Race 9 (5:35 p.m. ET)

Leg 4: Churchill Downs Race 11 (5:56 p.m. ET)

The opening leg from Fair Grounds is a first-level allowance for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles on turf (an oversubscribed field of 14), while the third leg is the $75,000 Richard R. Scherer Memorial for fillies and mares at 5 ½ furlongs on the grass (an oversubscribed field of 12). The second and fourth legs from Churchill Downs are likely to be the Golden Rod and Kentucky Jockey Club (entries will be drawn Wednesday).

The Fleur de Lis is a symbol that is deeply ingrained in the history of both Louisville and New Orleans and has traditionally been used to represent French royalty. The English translation for the French “fleur-de-lis” is flower of the lily.

CHEF DANIELSON AND TEAM READY FOR THANKSGIVING TRADITION AT CHURCHILL DOWNS – With more than 3,000 pounds of turkey ready to be carved, alongside all of the fixings, Thanksgiving Day at Churchill Downs has been a Louisville, Ky. tradition for 50 years.

The first year that Churchill Downs raced on Thanksgiving Day was 1969.

Around 8,000 turkey dinners will be served with all the trimmings, making it the largest number anywhere in the region.

Levy Restaurants’ David Danielson, the Executive Chef at Churchill Downs, alongside a team of several hundred chefs, began to cook Thursday’s Thanksgiving meal around 1 a.m. The menu consisted of preparing nearly 3,200 pounds of turkey, 2,400 pounds of spiral ham, 2,500 pounds of red potatoes, 2,200 pounds of sweet potatoes, 1,000 pounds of butter, 2,700 pounds of green beans, 1,000 pies and 700 pounds of cranberry jelly.

DOWN THE STRETCH – The 20-cent Single 6 Jackpot was hit Wednesday to the tune of $255,793 by an online bettor. The ticket cost $129.60: 4,6,8/3,7,8/6,7/6,8,13/1,8,9,10/2,5,10. The wager will start over for racing Thursday and there will be a mandatory payout on Sunday’s closing day. First post Thursday is 11:30 a.m. … Friday’s $300,000 Mrs. Revere (Grade II) is a special race for trainer Tommy Drury. The 1 1/16-mile grass event is named after Dr. Hiram Polk and Dr. David Richardson’s four-time Churchill Downs stakes winner Mrs. Revere. Drury used to pick buckets of clover to give to Mrs. Revere while his dad galloped horses at the Skylight Training Center, located approximately 30 minutes from Churchill Downs. … It is a homecoming for Track Superintendent Jamie Richardson with trainer Barclay Tagg’s undefeated 2-year-old colt Tiz the Law in Saturday’s $300,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII). Richardson used to groom horses for Tagg in his home state of Maryland in the 1980s. … Happy Thanksgiving!