Breeders' Cup notes: Tiz Flirtatious, Old Time Hockey breeze

Tiz Flirtatious needed a good work Friday at Betfair Hollywood Park to prepare for the biggest race of her career in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. But trainer Marty Jones was walking a fine line and did not want her to do too much.

“This is the quickest turnaround she’s had since early this year,” Jones said, referring to the 35 days since she defeated Marketing Mix by a head in the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive on Sept. 28 at Santa Anita. “Hopefully, she won’t do too much; hopefully, not too little.”

A few minutes after 8 a.m., as Jones and owner-breeder Pam Ziebarth watched from the backside, Tiz Flirtatious, with regular workout rider Danny Inocente aboard, worked six furlongs by herself in an outstanding 1:11.80. Track clockers termed the work “breezing.”

“That was great, the way she did it,” Jones said. “She didn’t do too much. It was an honest work.”

Tiz Flirtatious looked super coming off the track and will be among the main contenders in the Filly and Mare Turf. Tiz Flirtatious has won 4 of 5 starts this year. Ziebarth plans to keep the 5-year-old in training next year.

Marketing Mix, stabled one barn away from Tiz Flirtatious at Hollywood, will have her final workout Sunday or Monday, trainer Tom Proctor said. Tiz Flirtatious and Marketing Mix will ship to Santa Anita on Wednesday.

Old Time Hockey breezes for Marathon

Old Time Hockey has not raced on dirt since the winter of 2012, but the Grade 2-winning turf horse has had the $500,000 Breeders’ Cup Marathon in his sights for a long time, according to Proctor.

“That’s been the plan all year,” Proctor said. “Can he run on Santa Anita’s kickback? Who knows?”

Old Time Hockey, 3 for 17 and recently fourth in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship, will be ridden by Jose Lezcano in the 1 3/4-mile Marathon.

Owned by Glen Hill Farm, the 4-year-old gelding by Smarty Jones breezed five furlongs Thursday at Hollywood Park in 1:01.60. Proctor expects to train him into the Marathon with long gallops.