Tiz the Law repeats as New York-bred horse of the year

Sackatoga Stable’s Tiz the Law defended his title as New York-bred horse of the year as New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. honored its 2020 champions Monday evening.

The championships were announced in a virtual ceremony for the second year due to the coronavirus pandemic, with divisional champions chosen by a vote of New York turf writers, handicappers, photographers, and television and radio hosts and analysts.

Tiz the Law was honored as horse of the year and champion 3-year-old male, both by unanimous vote, after taking the top prize and champion 2-year-old male honors in 2019. Winner of the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes as a 2-year-old, the colt won three consecutive Grade 1 races last season in the Florida Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Travers Stakes. He also won the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes and finished second in the Kentucky Derby. He was retired to Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Kentucky for 2021.

Tiz the Law's coattails were long, as several associated with him also earned NYTB titles. Twin Creeks Farm, breeder of Tiz the Law, was named the state’s breeder of the year, and the late Tiznow mare Tizfiz, the Constitution colt's dam, earned her second straight broodmare of the year crown.

Barclay Tagg was the leading trainer of New York-breds in 2020, an honor he also achieved in 2003 thanks to another Sackatoga runner, dual classic winner Funny Cide. Jockey Manny Franco defended his title with the most New York-bred earnings, as he was aboard Tiz the Law for all his starts, and had the second most New York-bred wins in 2020.

Other New York-bred honorees were Simply Ravishing (2-year-old filly), Brooklyn Strong (2-year-old male), Sharp Starr (3-year-old filly), Lucky Move (older dirt female), Mr. Buff (older dirt male), Lead Guitar (older turf female and sprint female), Somelikeithotbrown (turf male), and Funny Guy (male sprinter).