Tiz a Melody closes strong to win El Joven Stakes
Tiz a Melody remained undefeated in two starts when he darted to a 1 3/4-length win over 3-5 favorite Kielbasa in the $75,000 El Joven Stakes at Retama Park near San Antonio on Saturday. The race shared a card with the $75,000 La Senorita won by Americium.
The El Joven and La Senorita were for 2-year-olds at a mile on turf. The races, their 22nd runnings, are the signature events of the Retama meet.
Tiz a Melody ($15.20) sat just off the pace set by I’m a Rock, who took the field through fractions of 23.96 seconds for the opening quarter, 48 for the half-mile, and 1:11.60 for six furlongs while pushed along by Kielbasa. Tiz a Melody advanced on the final turn and closed well to cover the distance on firm turf in 1:36.46.
Ted Gondron was aboard for trainer Mike Neatherlin.
Tiz a Melody won his debut on Sept. 24 at Retama, in a maiden special weight at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf. He is a son of Tizway, and races for Stilettos and Spurs.
Americium ($40.40) held for a three-quarter-length win over San Antonio Stroll in the La Senorita. The winner was always prominent, pushing Kentucky Brown through fractions of 23.31 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.76 for the half-mile, and 1:12.54 for six furlongs. She covered the distance in 1:37.16.
Sasha Risenhoover rode Americium for trainer Jay Torrez.
Americium is a daughter of Brilliant Speed who races for Stonewall Dominion LLC and Jose Luis Espinoza. She came into the La Senorita off a maiden special weight win at six furlongs Sept. 16 at Retama.