Tiznow R J likely headed to Risen Star

Tiznow R J will likely get another chance to move toward the Louisiana Derby and, if he continues developing, points beyond, in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes on Feb. 21.

Third in a pair of one-turn miles at Churchill Downs to start his career, Tiznow R J won a Fair Grounds maiden race around two turns by more than 13 lengths on Dec. 11. Considering he was facing winners for the first time while starting in a graded stakes in last weekend’s Lecomte Stakes, his trip was not ideal, and he is a later-maturing horse still figuring out how to race, Tiznow R J did well to finish third of 11, beaten 2 1/2 lengths by victorious International Star, and only a head behind War Story for second.

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“I can tell you he came out of the race really well,” said Steve Asmussen, who trains Tiznow R J, a son of Tiznow, for Mike McCarty. “The timing of the stakes at Fair Grounds is good for a horse like him. We’ll absolutely consider the Risen Star.”

Tiznow R J has a good personality, but he is a massive young horse still growing into his body. He was on an easy lead the first 300 yards or so of the Lecomte, but was challenged and overtaken, first by Hero of Humor and then by Runhappy, through a fast half-mile in 47.07 seconds. Both those horses faded from the scene, but after being put in a somewhat awkward spot, considering who he is, Tiznow R J tipped three wide, challenged for the lead, and wound up 1 1/2 lengths in front of fourth-place Another Lemon Drop. For the first time in his career, Tiznow R J changed leads on cue in the stretch run.

“A little disappointed right after the race, but with time to consider it, I thought he ran well,” Asmussen said. “There were a lot of things he did better this time.”

On Monday, Asmussen gave his exciting 3-year-old filly prospect Shook Up a five-furlong workout in 1:01.20, the Tapit filly’s second breeze since she won a two-turn maiden race by more than 13 lengths at second asking on Jan. 3. Shook Up could make her stakes debut Feb. 21 in the Grade 3 Rachel Alexandra Stakes, Asmussen said.

“The Rachel Alexandra is a reasonable spot to consider for her,” Asmussen said. “I have great respect for the other fillies pointing to that race.”

I’m a Chatterbox, the eight-length winner of the Silverbulletday Stakes on Saturday, is a likely Rachel Alexandra runner.