Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne Stakes, one mile, Belmont Park, Oct. 5, 2019 (10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth) Winner: Tiz the Law, by Constitution Trainer: Barclay Tagg Jockey: Manny Franco Owner: Sackatoga Stable Beyer Speed Figure: 89 Barclay Tagg and Sackatoga Stable with a talented New York-bred? Sounds like the Funny Cide train is about to leave the station again. TIZ THE LAW certainly looked like a top Derby prospect the way he dominated this field, winning by four lengths while earning a Beyer figure that was nearly identical to the 90 he got in his lone prior start, when beating maidens going 6 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga. He is by a wildly successful first-crop stallion who is a son of Tapit, and is out of a mare by Tiznow, so more distance should be suitable. He’s yet to go two turns, but after two starts he looks to have as much potential as anything out there right now, along with the likes of Dennis’ Moment and Eight Rings. In addition to this being worth early Derby points, the Champagne is a Win and You’re In toward the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita. But Tiz the Law’s connections – trainer and ownership group – are inclined to pass and point for longer-range goals. They’ve been down this road before, with 2003 Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide. In this race, Tiz the Law bobbled leaving the gate, but quickly got his feet under him and led for the first few jumps before Franco took a hold of him to try and get cover and save ground. He was a bit keen for much of the backstretch, split horses on the far turn while looking more settled, then swung out at the top of the lane and immediately roared past leaders GREEN LIGHT GO and GOZILLA. He opened up a commanding lead and was taken in hand late. I really like the way he settled after his early eagerness, plus the way in which he finished off the race. This is a good colt. Green Light Go, who finished second, led early while hounded by Gozilla through a lively pace of 22.57 seconds for the quarter and 46.15 seconds for the half. He maintained a narrow advantage into the stretch, could not go with Tiz the Law in upper stretch, but fought on bravely to save second while getting the best of his early pace rival. BIG CITY BOB, who was third, settled into a good spot just behind and outside the early leaders, went into the far turn three paths wide with Tiz the Law just inside of him, then came under a ride nearing the quarter pole and was unable to keep Tiz the Law boxed in. He kept to his task with a steady, one-paced finish to get up for third and galloped out well. He’s a cut below the best at this point but he’s improved every start. Progressive sort. Gozilla, who was fourth, used his keen speed to attend the pace of Green Light Go, inched closer and was even with Green Light Go a quarter-mile out, couldn’t go with Tiz the Law in upper stretch, fought on bravely until deep stretch but emptied out the final 70 yards. ALPHA SIXTY SIX, who was fifth, checked slightly at the start and was well back early, made a sharp mid-race move to get to Tiz the Law’s hip nearing the far turn, then raced about three to four paths wide on the far turn. He was asked for his best near the quarter pole, had to swing around the heels of Big City Bob in upper stretch, then finished evenly. Considering the early pace, I thought he should have made a bigger impact late. TRUCULENT, who finished last of six, was overmatched. He veered in slightly at the start, then was with Green Light Go and Gozilla through the opening furlong before settling right behind those two while on the rail. He was right with Tiz the Law three furlongs out, but began to weaken before reaching the quarter pole and dropped back to be well beaten.