Tiz the Law, Independence Hall put in final Florida Derby works

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Two of the leading contenders for Saturday’s Grade 1 Florida Derby, Tiz the Law and Independence Hall, turned in their final preps for the meet’s marquee event at virtually the same time albeit 40 miles apart, shortly after 7:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Tiz the Law, with exercise rider Heather Smullen aboard at the Palm Meadows training center, worked five furlongs in 1:02.20 according to Daily Racing Form, with a final quarter of 25 seconds. Independence Hall breezed an easy four furlongs at Gulfstream Park in 48.27 seconds under assistant trainer Sarah Shaffer. He completed his final quarter-mile in 24.79 before galloping out five-eighths in 1:01.67, the work briefly delayed while an exercise rider was being treated for minor injuries on the racetrack.

“He worked well," trainer Barclay Tagg said of Holy Bull winner Tiz the Law. "[Smullen] said he felt good the whole way, that through the stretch the track was kind of cuppy but that she could hardly pull him up when he got back around on the other side."

Tagg said Tiz the Law, who’ll likely go postward the favorite under jockey Manny Franco in the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby, couldn’t be doing better.

“Last night at feed time they were just getting ready to put the tubs in the stalls when I left to run some errands,” said Tagg. “While I was gone, several trucks came to the barn to unload hay and feed and apparently made quite a ruckus. When I returned, I walked down the shedrow and all the other horses were up on their feet. When I got to his stall, he was lying there sound asleep, snoring away and had licked his feed tub clean. All in a matter of less than 45 minutes. He’s such a character. In all my years, I’ve never had a horse who took care of himself like he does.”

Tagg said the only negative is the fact he has to ship Tiz the Law from Palm Meadows and have him on the grounds at Gulfstream Park by Wednesday.

Independence Hall has done the majority of his training for the Florida Derby at Tampa Bay Downs, where he’s been stable for the past two months. Trainer Mike Trombetta shipped him to Gulfstream Park earlier this week to get a feel for the track and a work in over the surface prior to the race.

“I’m pleased with him,” said Trombetta. “It was just a nice steady half-mile this morning. I’ve already put some decent works under his belt up at Tampa before we got here. The feedback has been good since he arrived here. All I can do now is sit and keep my fingers crossed.”

In the week since Independence Hall arrived in South Florida, things have changed with regard to the overall Kentucky Derby picture.

“When we came down, we needed to be first or second in this race to make it to the Derby,” said Trombetta. “With the Derby not until September, things are different now.”

Independence Hall will have a new rider for the Florida Derby, with Joel Rosario replacing Jose Ortiz, who is currently out of action due to an injured wrist.

Another potential Florida Derby starter, Disc Jockey, also worked at Gulfstream Park on Sunday, going five furlongs in 1:01.40 in company with Chill Haze, breezing without the blinkers he normally wears when he runs.

"Disc Jockey worked well this morning. I think he’s going to like the mile and one eighth,” said trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. “It’s worth giving him a chance. You’ve got to be in it to win it.”

Disc Jockey has posted a win and a second in two starts since claimed by Joseph for owner Frank Calabrese out of a winning effort for $35,000 here last September.

Along with Tiz the Law, Independence Hall, and Disc Jockey, the field for the Florida Derby is expected to include Ete Indien, Ajaaweed, As Seen On Tv, and the Todd Pletcher-trained trio of Gouverneur Morris, Candy Tycoon, and Palm Springs. The purse for the Florida Derby was reduced from $1 million to $750,000 on Saturday as a result of unforeseen circumstances caused by the current coronavirus pandemic.