Tiznow's Smile has credentials to win East View

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The connections of Tiznow’s Smile thought enough of the filly to run her twice in stakes races as a maiden. Handicappers thought enough of Tiznow’s Smile to make her the favorite both times.

After getting beat in both the Seeking the Ante and Joseph A. Gimma, Tiznow’s Smile returns to stakes company in Friday’s $100,000 East View Stakes at Aqueduct. She comes off a victory in a maiden race here 19 days ago.

Tiznow’s Smile will face only four rivals in the East View, a race at one mile and 70 yards for New York-bred juvenile fillies that goes as race 3 on a nine-race program. No show wagering will be offered on the East View.

Tiznow’s Smile finished fourth at Saratoga in her debut at odds of 15-1 but has been favored in her subsequent four starts. She ran third in the Seeking the Ante and second in the Joseph A. Gimma before getting beat a nose by first-time starter Mizzen Max in a maiden race on Nov. 13. Tiznow’s Smile finally broke through with a 2 3/4-length maiden victory over the inner track on Dec. 11. She was hustled to the front by jockey Jose Ortiz in that two-turn-mile race.

“She’s not a horse that usually finds herself in front,” trainer Charlton Baker said. “She was kind of looking around. That will help her a lot going forward.”

With Ortiz on an extended vacation, Manny Franco has picked up the mount on Tiznow’s Smile, who breaks from post 5.

Bonita Bianca went 2 for 2 against New York-breds before finishing third in the Grade 2 Demoiselle last out. Bree’s Got Heart, Overnegotiate, and Messer Misfit complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Tiznow’s Smile, by Tiznow

Last 3 Beyers: 71-65-57

◗ She has improved her Beyer Speed Figures in each of her five starts and is the only one in the field to have won over the inner track or around two turns.

◗ She is a half-sister to four stakes winners – Stormy’s Smile, Johannesburg Smile, Wildcat’s Smile, and Atlantic’s Smile.

Bonita Bianca, by Curlin

Beyers: 68-71-58

◗ Defeated maidens sprinting at Belmont before taking the Maid of the Mist by 5 1/4 lengths in the slop going a one-turn mile at Belmont.

◗ She was far back early but showed late interest to finish third behind the repeating graded stakes winner Miss Sky Warrior in the Demoiselle.

◗ Ridden by Joel Rosario in the Demoiselle, Bonita Bianca will be reunited with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the East View. Ortiz was aboard for both victories.

“I thought if [Rosario] got after her a little bit earlier, maybe she could have been a little closer,” trainer Rudy Rodriguez said. “Irad knows the horse pretty well.”

Overnegotiate, by Overdriven

Beyers: 57-65

◗ Beat 11 rivals when winning her debut by four lengths on Nov. 5 going six furlongs over the main track.

◗ Ran evenly when finishing second to the repeating stakes winner Filibustin in the Key Cents Stakes, also at six furlongs.