Kentucky Jockey Club preview

Saturday, November 25, 2006
Churchill Downs - Race 11
Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (Grade 2)
1 1/16 Miles
2-year-olds
Purse $200,000

As with Nobiz Like Shobiz in the Remsen at Aqueduct on Saturday, TIZ WONDERFUL has a powerful Beyer advantage over his juvenile opponents. The talented son of two-time Breeders' Cup Classic winner Tiznow shouldn't have a problem with the added distance, but he'll need to settle down a bit better in the early stages. He was rank in the opening furlong of the Iroquois last time, and was forced to rush up to duel for the lead. He looked like he was in some trouble at the quarter-pole with a pair of rivals breathing down his neck, but he scooted away impressively once he switched leads in upper stretch. He'll get his sternest test to date in his two-turn debut, but he simply may be the most talented member of the field. JOE GOT EVEN and GOING BALLISTIC may have been helped by closer-biased tracks at Keeneland and Remington respectively, but both earned solid figures in nice fashion, and would benefit from a quick pace up front in the KJC. Going Ballistic is the only three-time winner in the field while Joe Got Even has been perfect since Lasix was added to his arsenal. U D GHETTO didn't have the easiest of trips in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and he overcame a wide journey to win the Kentucky Cup over Polytrack two back. The jury is still out over how good he really is. WHAT A TALE raced evenly in the Iroquois, but was no match for Tiz Wonderful. He can improve in his third start of the form cycle. ANY GIVEN SATURDAY cost seven figures at public auction, and the strapping colt is unbeaten over Polytrack. He may be the one that Tiz Wonderful has to fear most in the late going.

Selections: 1. Tiz Wonderful 2. Joe Got Even 3. Going Ballistic