Tiznow R J likely headed to Risen Star
Tiznow R J will likely get another chance to move toward the Louisiana Derby and, if he continues developing, points beyond, in the Feb. 21 Risen Star Stakes.
Marcus HershJan 21, 2015
Tiznow R J will likely get another chance to move toward the Louisiana Derby and, if he continues developing, points beyond, in the Feb. 21 Risen Star Stakes.
Road to the Derby analysis: Smarty Jones Stakes
Far Right came through on the rail, as even-money favorite Mr. Z drifted out badly, to win a harried dash to the wire in the $150,000 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park on Monday. Bayerd nabbed second, finishing 1 3/4 lengths behind Far Right. Mr. Z was another half-length back in third, while Private Prospect finished fourth.
Mr. Z has run too well not to be a stakes winner, having placed in five graded races in his young career. But his status could change Monday, when he starts as the probable favorite in the $150,000 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park.
With five runners nominated to next Saturday's Grade 3, $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin would appear to have a hammerlock on the race, but he said on Friday that he will try and divide and conquer with his bevy of 3-year-olds, splitting the quintet among different spots while reserving the Holy Bull for the highly regarded Frosted, who finished second in the Remsen Stakes in his final start at age 2.
Trainer Mike Tomlinson said things couldn’t be better with Barbados, a three-length winner of the Jan. 3 Spectacular Bid at Gulfstream Park, and indicated that the colt will run back in the Grade 3, $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes on the Holy Bull undercard next Saturday.
If he does run a Beyer Speed Figures in the mid-90s, one of these lightly raced horses is going to have to take the kind of jump Eagle took in Kentucky to beat him in Saturday's Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds.
Let’s couple favorite Eagle in exotics with another horse here I’m taken with – Runhappy - to create some value in the Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds.
The early deadline to nominate horses for the 2015 Triple Crown series is Saturday, and nominations cost $600 each. The late nomination period, when nominations cost $6,000 each, is open through March 23. The names of all early nominees will be announced Jan. 31.
Eagle, the likely favorite in the Lecomte Stakes on Saturday at Fair Grounds, and Top Decile, the likely favorite in the Silverbulletday, both drew the far outside post in their respective races. If they are to win, they will have their draws to overcome.