Tiz Miz Sue’s powerful stretch run carried the 5-year-old daughter of Tiznow to a three length victory in the $150,000 Azeri S. on St. Patrick’s Day at Oaklawn Park. This was the first graded stakes win for the dark bay mare, who previously tallied in the Winter Melody S. and Polly’s Jet S., both at Delaware Park.
In the Azeri, Tiz Miz Sue faced Absinthe Minded, who had beaten her twice at Oaklawn this meet. Tiz Miz Sue went fairly wide into the first turn, but moved in down the backstretch, about two lengths from the lead. Joe Rocco had plenty of horse under coming into the stretch and Tiz Miz Sue went after the leaders, blowing by Absinthe Minded at the furlong marker to win going away.
“It was overdue for that girl. I was confident the whole trip,” said winning trainer Steve Hobby. “I liked that she tucked in behind horses. They hooked up in front, they weren’t going crazy, but they were nodding back and forth and taking turns and that had me liking it the whole way. Joe was able to wait and wait. He is great with her…just so patient. He knows her real well. I guess the Apple Blossom (G1, in April at Oaklawn) is next.”
Winning owner/breeder Ran Leonard, “It’s a huge victory for her today. She is now a graded stakes winner, which is huge for a small breeding operation. This is a great victory for the whole family. The field we ran against today was a classy group. To get lucky and win is a huge accomplishment for us.”
Tiz Miz Sue was bred in Kentucky from Leonard’s top-class mare Sue’s Good News, winner of three stakes, including the Grade 3 Singapore Plate S. She is a half-sister to Lecomte S. and Iowa Derby winner Easyfromthegetgo.
Tiz Miz Sue has now won $414,709, with a record of 6-7-2 from 23 starts.
