Fashionably Fast notches second consecutive Tiznow triumph

ARCADIA, Calif. - A wide trip was no hindrance for Fashionably Fast in Sunday’s $100,000 Tiznow Stakes for California-bred milers at Santa Anita.

Starting from the outside in a field of five, Fashionably Fast was four-wide on the first turn, three-wide on the backstretch and two-wide on the turn and early stretch before prevailing by a head over pacesetter Desmond Doss, the 5-2 second choice. Brandothebartender (5-1) closed from last to finish third, a head behind Desmond Doss, in a tight finish.

Sent off favored, Fashionably Fast ($3.80) was timed in 1:37.14, winning the Tiznow Stakes for the second consecutive year. Fashionably Fast earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 88.

Winning rider Tiago Pereira said the 6-year-old Fashionably Fast was a cool veteran despite racing wide early and within 1 1/2 lengths of the lead throughout. Pereira said he was encouraged by an opening quarter-mile in 23.07 seconds, which he thought was not too taxing on Fashionably Fast.

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“I tried to get him to relax,” Pereira said. “At six furlongs (remaining), he relaxed a little bit. I waited to move at the three-eighths pole.”

Fashionably Fast was within a head of Desmond Doss with a quarter-mile remaining, and trailed by the same margin with a furlong to go. Fashionably Fast took the lead in the final strides.

“He has a big heart,” Pereira said. “If a horse tries to pass him, he tries to win.”

Margot’s Boy finished fourth, followed by Surfing Star in the small field.

Fashionably Fast, a Lucky Pulpit gelding, races for Harris Farms, Per Antonsen and John Nicoletti and trainer Dean Pederson. Fashionably Fast has won 8 of 20 starts and has earned $568,245. Pereira has been aboard for all the wins.

The 2020 Tiznow Stakes was the sixth and final win of a seven-month winning streak for Fashionably Fast. Following the 2020 Tiznow Stakes, Fashionably Fast was beaten in his next three starts, all stakes. In his only previous start this year, Fashionably Fast was third in the California Cup Sprint for statebreds on Jan. 16.