Brickyard Ride gallops to easy win in Tiznow

ARCADIA, Calif. -- The closest four rivals got to Brickyard Ride in Monday’s $100,000 Tiznow Stakes at Santa Anita occurred on the first turn of the one-mile race when Wilder Than Most was within 1 1/2 lengths.

After that, Brickyard Ride was unbothered. Brickyard Ride led by three lengths halfway through the race and by six lengths with a quarter-mile remaining. Without being urged in the final sixteenth by jockey Juan Hernandez, Brickyard Ride still managed to win his stakes debut at a mile by a spacious 7 1/2 lengths in 1:37.77.

“When he felt the pressure, he picked it up,” Hernandez said of the momentary tussle with Wild Than That.

“After that, he was alone. I asked him to pick it up, and he did.”

Brickyard Ride earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 100.

Brickyard Ride ($3.20) was followed in the order of finish by Touchdown Brown, who closed from last in a field of five California-breds to finish 4 1/4 lengths in front of Wilder Than Most. Peaceful Transfer and Seattle Bold completed the order of finish.

The win showed Brickyard Ride can handle a longer trip after winning three sprints at distances of six and seven furlongs since the beginning of 2021.

In Brickyard Ride’s only previous appearance at a mile, he failed to finish a starter allowance on turf when he collided with the inside temporary rail in his third start in January 2020.

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Trained by Craig Lewis for owner and breeder Sonny Pais, Brickyard Ride is in the midst of a perfect start to the season. A 5-year-old horse by Clubhouse Ride, Brickyard Ride won the California Cup Sprint in January for the second consecutive year.

Brickyard Ride has won 10 of 20 starts and earned $620,977. Lewis said in the winner’s circle that win provides a greater number of stakes options for Brickyard Ride this year.