Tiznow’s Tourist wins Grade 1 Fourstardave H.

WinStar Farm’s homebred Tourist turned in a stellar performance in Saturday’s $500,000 Fourstardave H. (G1) at Saratoga to give the 5-year-old son of Tiznow his first graded stakes victory.

Tourist is the 13th Grade One stakes winner for Tiznow, who has 34 graded stakes winners and more than $61 million in lifetime progeny earnings for the Hall of Famer and champion sire.

After a sharp break from the outside in the field of six, Tourist sat just behind King Kreesa, who was keen for the lead from the inside. Tourist tracked the pacesetter through a half-mile in :48.43, before he began to move for the lead around the far turn.

Assuming command with a quarter-mile to run, Tourist spurted clear at the top of the stretch under Joel Rosario and came home a length and a half winner in 1:34.29 for the mile on the firm turf.

“He was very impressive,” trainer Bill Mott said of Tourist. “He had a good trip. Looking at the race, on paper, that looked like the type of trip he would probably get. He was laying second, came on, drew away from the field, and ran very well. There was a bit of an anxious moment in the middle of the turn, he took a bad step. I swallowed [hard] there for a second, but he was able to pick himself back up and go on with it. Once he straightened up for home it looked like he still was traveling well.

“It was important for a horse like him to [get a Grade 1 win]. He’s been a good horse for us, multiple Grade 1-placed. To win the Fourstardave in Saratoga was very important. There have been some nice horses win it in the past and I’m sure we’ll have some more in the future. But it was his day today.”

Owned in partnership with Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber, Tourist has faced the toughest of competition throughout his career, placing in the Secretariat S., Shadwell Turf Mile, Maker’s Mark Mile and Shoemaker Mile, all Grade 1 events. With Saturday’s win, Tourist upped his earnings to $970,340.