Tiz the Law smokes five furlongs in Breeders' Cup Classic work

ELMONT, N.Y. – There was a time immediately after the Kentucky Derby when Tiz the Law appeared a bit lethargic. That time has passed.

On Friday, in just his second work since his runner-up finish in the Kentucky Derby, Tiz the Law worked an extremely fast five furlongs in 57.87 seconds over the Belmont Park main track as the Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes winner continues preparations for a scheduled start in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on Nov. 7.

“I didn’t want to go that fast, especially this early when we’re trying to freshen him,” trainer Barclay Tagg said. “He’s a fast horse. What are you going to do?”

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Tiz the Law came out of his runner-up finish to Authentic in the Kentucky Derby a bit stiff and lethargic. It took at least two weeks before he began to turn around. On Sept 25, Tiz the Law worked a half-mile in 50.07 seconds by himself.

Tagg said he would have preferred to have had an easier work this week and a stronger work, in company, next week. The problem is the horses he has that would be good workmates for Tiz the Law – Highland Sky and Step Dancer – were entered in stakes Saturday at Belmont.

Tagg selected Crackerbox Palace, a 2-year-old maiden, to work with Tiz the Law.

Over a fast track and with light rain falling, Crackerbox Palace, with exercise rider Javier Copantitla up, started the work off nearly a sixteenth of a mile in front of Tiz the Law.

Tagg, on a stable pony, did not turn exercise rider Heather Smullen and Tiz the Law loose until the 6 1/2-furlong pole, trying to avoid getting mixed in with a pair of workers from the barn of Michelle Nevin.

“I wanted to let [Crackerbox Palace] go off a little ahead of this horse and let him gallop around,” Tagg said. “It should have been easy, just all of the communicating got messed up.”

Tiz the Law broke off at the five-furlong pole and went his opening eighth in 11.60 seconds and his opening quarter in 22.85. With Crackerbox Palace still far in front, Tiz the Law went his first three furlongs in 33.70 seconds. He still came home in 24.17 seconds, closing the gap to about six lengths at the wire. Tiz the Law continued out six furlongs in 1:10.60 and seven furlongs in 1:24.03. He galloped out past Crackerbox Palace, who was credited with a five-furlong move in 1:01.60.

“We got time to adjust,” Tagg said. “The horse came out of it great, seems to be fine, a little faster than I wanted him to go. The horse was happy, anyway – happy before and happy after.”