Grade 1, $750,000 Florida Derby, 1 1/8 miles, Gulfstream Park, March 28, 2020 (100 Derby qualifying points for a win, 40 for second, 20 for third, 10 for fourth) Winner: Tiz the Law, by Constitution Trainer: Barclay Tagg Jockey: Manny Franco Owners: Sackatoga Stable Beyer Speed Figure: 96 This normally would have been a final prep for the Kentucky Derby, but with the unprecedented situation in which the world – not just racing – finds itself, those exiting this race should have additional chances to gain experience prior to the Derby, now scheduled for Sept. 5, four months after its usual spot on the calendar. That might help, or hinder, TIZ THE LAW, who obviously is at or near the top of any Derby rankings right now. If the Derby would have been run on May 2, he’d have been one of the leading contenders. Now, he has to cool his heels for awhile, and there’s no guarantee he, or any other top contender at present, will be as good on Labor Day weekend. What the extra time will afford is a chance for Tiz the Law to have another couple of races to work on one aspect of his game that still concerns me. Make no mistake, I’m a big fan of the colt, with one caveat – the way he is ridden, and the way he has performed, is indicative of a horse who is not comfortable being inside. Now, owing to his running style, he has the kind of tactical speed that can give a horse a trouble-free trip, as he got in this race. There was zero reason to try any different kind of tactics on this day owing to where he was drawn and the way the race unfolded. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2020: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more But if he were to draw inside in a large field, like the Derby, I’m still not certain he’d perform as well. It’s something I’ve noted previously, such as after his win in the Holy Bull. The only other time he had an inside trip was in his lone loss, in the Kentucky Jockey Club, where he looked uncomfortable being inside. There were mitigating factors in that race, too, some that could be significant on Derby Day (the race was at Churchill Downs, after all), might be pertinent (off track), or shouldn’t be in play (running at night). That’s my only quibble with this colt. There are plenty of others in this crop who have far more to overcome. And since Tiz the Law is being molded by people for whom I have great respect – Tagg and assistant Robin Smullen – I think the extra time will give them a chance to make Tiz the Law as good when he gets an inside trip as he is when he gets a stalking trip. In this race, Tiz the Law broke well enough, let ETE INDIEN cross over in front of him, then was angled to the three path entering the first turn to wind up in an ideal stalking position – third while just behind and outside two dueling leaders – since everyone else to his outside lacked enough speed to make things uncomfortable. He inched closer heading into the far turn and continued in the three path, outside SHIVAREE and Ete Indien, around that turn. Franco took a peek back nearing the quarter pole to make sure no one was advancing, then asked Tiz the Law for his best coming into the lane. He asserted his superiority in upper stretch and widened his margin through the lane while under strong handling until the shadow of the wire. Shivaree, who finished second, was exiting sprints and used his natural speed and inside draw to lead into the first turn, with Ete Indien right alongside. He battled for the lead down the backstretch and into the far turn, at which point he started to be pushed along when Ete Indien poked his head in front. But he responded bravely to get back on terms with Ete Indien, couldn’t go with the winner in upper stretch, and gamely held the place. The fact this 80-1 shot, whose only previous two-turn race was poor and who primarily is a sprinter, finished second does raise some questions about the rest of the field. Ete Indien, who was third, was extremely washy coming to the gate prior to the race. Sure, it was warm, but it’s not like there was a crowd there to make him nervous, so that’s a concern. He broke sharply and was sent along from his outside draw to get over, and was able to get to the two path around the first turn, just outside Shivaree. He volleyed for the lead down the backstretch, and looked like he was getting the best of Shivaree early on the far turn. He was put to an all-out drive when Tiz the Law ranged up outside him at the quarter pole, couldn’t go with the winner nor the runner-up in upper stretch, and went evenly the rest of the way. His best race was when he made the lead against inferior in the Fountain of Youth. At the moment, he’s nowhere near as good as Tiz the Law, who beat him handily in the Holy Bull, too. GOUVERNEUR MORRIS, who was fourth, went into the first turn between rivals while just inside Tiz the Law while in the two path, then had to check slightly late on the turn and got shuffled back a bit. He raced between rivals for much of the backstretch, lacked acceleration when initially called on heading into the far turn, got fanned about four to five lanes wide coming off the final band, and kept grinding away while never getting close to the winner. He’s one of several who will benefit by the Derby being postponed. INDEPENDENCE HALL, who was fifth, broke slowly – as he has done far too frequently – and had enough speed to wind up four paths wide into the first turn near the rear of the field, not optimum for a horse who usually is forwardly placed. He advanced to midpack around the first turn while still in the four path, outside Gouverneur Morris. He never could get over down the backstretch and went into the far turn four paths wide while just behind and outside Tiz the Law, then tired through the lane. This was not an ideal trip, but, as noted previously, such as after the Sam Davis, I don’t think he wants anything beyond 1 1/8 miles. CANDY TYCOON, who was sixth, went into the first turn five paths wide, between Independence Hall and ROGUE ELEMENT, and got bounced around by those two early on the turn. He remained wide until the backstretch, raced in the clear for much of the backstretch, but never showed any interest and was one of many who were not persevered with the final quarter-mile. MY FIRST GRAMMY, who was seventh, was about three to four paths wide entering the first turn, checked slightly, then was angled closer to the rail. He got a bit closer down the backstretch while following Shivaree, but began to falter early on the far turn and readily yielded. AS SEEN ON TV, who was eighth, saved ground around the first turn while just behind the two leaders and just inside Tiz the Law. He was pushed along late on the backstretch to try and hold his position, came off the bridle while stopping badly midway on the turn, and was given a sympathetic journey the rest of the way. Rogue Element, who finished last of nine, was fanned six paths wide around the first turn while bumping with Candy Tycoon, started to lose contact with his rivals early on the backstretch, badly overmatched.