Tiz the Law has first work since Kentucky Derby

ELMONT, N.Y. – Tiz the Law, a three-time Grade 1 winner this year at 3, worked a half-mile in 50.07 seconds Friday morning over the Belmont Park main track, his first work since his runner-up finish to Authentic in the Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5.

Tiz the Law, under exercise rider Heather Smullen, worked shortly after the track reopened following the mid-morning renovation break. After leaving the pony, Tiz the Law was galloping near the outside fence before Smullen gradually guided him over to the inside rail. Tiz the Law left the half-mile pole slowly and went his first eighth in 14.04 before picking it up around the turn, completing his opening quarter in 26.21.

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In the lane, Smullen didn’t ask for anything from Tiz the Law, who got his last quarter in 23.86 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:03.53.

The work, likely the first of six Tiz the Law will have leading up to the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 7 at Keeneland, was an indication that Tiz the Law is making progress but is still not quite where he was prior to the Kentucky Derby.

“It was just his first work back,” trainer Barclay Tagg said. “It was a little slower than I wanted to go, but doesn’t make any difference. I just wanted him to stretch his legs a little bit.”

Tiz the Law won the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park in March, the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes (shortened this year to 1 1/8 miles) in June, and the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga in August. He was sent off the 3-5 favorite in the Kentucky Derby, but was upset by Authentic, finishing second to him by 1 1/4 lengths.

Tiz the Law came out of the race a little stiff and was not training like himself for about two weeks after the Derby. Tagg announced Monday that Tiz the Law would skip the Preakness Stakes on Oct. 3 to concentrate on the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

“Taking it easy for a few weeks was great for him,” Tagg said.

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Tagg said he opted to work Tiz the Law on Friday because he felt the track was in good shape and the weather was good.

“If you want to breeze him once a week, if something goes wrong you have a day to play with,” Tagg said.

Tiz the Law will likely have a five-furlong workout by himself next week before having a few in-company works after that, assistant trainer Robin Smullen said.

The plan is to ship Tiz the Law to Kentucky in time to get at least one workout over Keeneland’s main track before the Classic.