Tissy Fit nails leaders in Tanforan

ALBANY, Calif. - Tissy Fit was content to sit back early, saved ground most of the way, then moved out in the lane to wear down Porfido and Zappa - who got first run on him - to win the $75,000 Tanforan Stakes on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields.

Tissy Fit was making his first start since being claimed for $40,000 at Calder on Aug. 5. Jockey Juan Ochoa settled him off the slow pace set by Newton John over the yielding turf course, but he always was within striking distance in the 1 3/8-mile race.

Zappa and Porfido began to pressure Newton John after the opening mile with odds-on Porfido getting his head in front in the stretch. Tissy Fit made a sustained run to win by a half-length over Zappa in 2:21.06. Porfido was a head back in third. Tissy Fit paid $15.60 to win.

Ochoa credited trainer Paual Capestro's directions for his smooth trip.

"She said when you make your move at the leaders, go after them from the outside," Ochoa said. "It worked out perfect. I swung him out at the top of the stretch, and he gradually wore them down. It took him a little while to get going, but he got there."

Tissy Fit, a 5-year-old gelding, recorded his seventh victory in 28 starts and earned $45,000 for the Acclaimed Racing Stable. He boosted his lifetime earnings to $161,001.