Speedy 6-year-old C Tizz Run gives turf a try at Santa Anita

ARCADIA, Calif. – At 6, C Tizz Run is a little old to be making his fourth career start in Thursday’s seventh race at Santa Anita.

A gray gelding, C Tizz Run did not debut until last July, finishing second in a maiden race for statebreds. Following a four-month layoff, C Tizz Run won a maiden race at Hollywood Park in November and was fourth in an allowance race at Santa Anita last month.

With main track sprints producing fast times in recent weeks, trainer Sean McCarthy has opted to switch surfaces for C Tizz Run’s fourth career start on Thursday. C Tizz Run makes his turf debut in an allowance race over about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course.

“I’m hoping going down the hill, we can switch him off,” McCarthy.

C Tizz Run was certainly “on” when he finished fourth against statebreds on Jan. 9. Ridden by Brice Blanc, who has the mount on Thursday, C Tizz Run was part of a pace duel after 21.41 seconds, but was fading from contention after a half-mile in a quick 43.42 seconds.

“I thought being his third race, it was a fast race,” McCarthy said. “The track has been very fast. That race was a little too hot for him.”

McCarthy insists that C Tizz Run is not reliant on speed, and can be patient for Blanc on turf.

“He’s manageable,” he said. “I think he should run well.”

Owned by breeder Denise Keck, C Tizz Run fought shin problems earlier in his life, McCarthy said. He described Keck “as very cautious. She wasn’t in a hurry to get him in the races. I got him in early spring of last year.”

C Tizz Run could be near the lead on Thursday, by default. The race lacks another confirmed front-runner, though He’s a Dance Star, who drew the rail, was also near the front in the Jan. 9 allowance race, eventually finishing sixth as the 2-1 favorite.

Two starters won maiden races in their last starts – Le’ Heat and Kate’s Event.

Le’ Heat, a former maiden claimer, needed nine races to finally win, doing so on the hillside turf course in an 11-1 upset in a maiden special weight on Jan. 22. The promising Kate’s Event beat maidens in his second start on Jan. 27, and makes his turf debut on Thursday.