The international Coolmore operation has acquired the breeding rights to Tiz the Law, winner of last Saturday's Belmont Stakes, and will stand the colt at its Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky., upon his eventual retirement from racing, the operation announced Thursday.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Spectators will be allowed at this year’s rescheduled Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs in Louisville under protocols that will limit attendance and encourage customers to minimize their movement throughout the facility, officials of Churchill Downs said on Thursday morning.
In the aftermath of the runaway victory by Cafe Pharoah in the Unicorn Stakes last Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse, Churchill Downs officials this week said they had received encouraging feedback from the colt’s connections regarding a potential start in this year’s Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5, adding international intrigue to an already unprecedented Derby.
The dialogue was so positive that Churchill Downs officials made Cafe Pharoah one of the individual betting interests in the Derby future wager being offered this weekend.
Churchill Downs has submitted operational plans to Kentucky state officials that envision allowing spectators for the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby and the race cards that will precede it, a Churchill Downs official confirmed Tuesday.
Cafe Pharoah strengthened his status as the leading Japanese contender for the Kentucky Derby with a decisive five-length win in Sunday’s Grade 3 Unicorn Stakes at a mile at Tokyo Racecourse.
Ridden by Damian Lane, Cafe Pharoah (the even-money favorite in Japan) closed from a stalking position in the one-turn race to take the lead in the stretch. Cafe Pharoah quickly drew away from 15 rivals to remain unbeaten in three starts.
Dieu du Vin finished second, 1 3/4 lengths in front of Kenshinko.
Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes, 1 1/8 miles, Belmont Park, June 20, 2020
(150 Derby qualifying points for a win, 60 for second, 30 for third, 15 for fourth)
Winner: Tiz the Law, by Constitution
Trainer: Barclay Tagg
Jockey: Manny Franco
Owners: Sackatoga Stable
Beyer Speed Figure: 100
ELMONT, N.Y. – Though he basked in the quietude of a spectator-less Belmont Park on Saturday, trainer Barclay Tagg knows the noise level will be ratcheted up a few notches as the summer rolls on.
“You gotta get used to it, it’s the job,” Tagg said Sunday morning.
Cafe Pharoah, the top-ranked active 3-year-old in the standings for Kentucky Derby prospects in Japan, will have his first start in four months in Sunday’s Grade 3 Unicorn Stakes at a mile at Tokyo Racecourse.
The $630,825 Unicorn Stakes is one of two remaining races on the schedule of prep races in Japan for the Kentucky Derby. The final race in the series is the Japan Dirt Derby at Oi Racecourse on July 8. The horse with the most points in the series will earn a berth in the 20-horse field for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Sept. 5.
