Tiz the Law begins 2020 Derby Trail with Holy Bull S. (G3) victory

Constitution’s Grade 1-winning 2-year-old of 2019 started off the new year in fine fashion with a three-length win in Saturday’s $250,000 Holy Bull S. (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

The flashy 3-year-old earned another 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) challenge and now has a total of 22, tied for first among all potential Derby candidates.

Winner of the Champagne S. (G1) in October, Tiz the Law had been away from the races since finish third after a tough trip in the slop at Churchill Downs in the Jockey Club (G2) at the end of November. Tiz the Law broke well and was third along the inside through the first quarter mile of the Holy Bull. Entering the backstretch, he had to check sharply off heels, then jockey Manny Franco moved his mount to the outside for clear running.

Tiz the Law made steady progress toward the front, easily overhauling Ete Indian on the final bend, then drawing clear in the lane to get the 1 1/16-miles in 1:42.04.

“He proved today he’s the horse we saw in the Champagne. We’re talking about going to the Louisana Derby (G2, March 21). We loved his breeding when we bought him,” said owner Jack Knowton, principal of Sackatoga Stables.

Tiz the Law is trained by Barclay Tagg, the same connections as 2003 Derby winner Funny Cide. A winner of 3 of four starts, Tiz the Law has earned $498,900. 

Pedigree Notes from the TDN

Part of a huge first season with runners for his young sire Constitution, Tiz the Law’s dam Tizfiz took the 2009 GII San Gorgonio H. over nine grassy panels. Her full-brother Fury Kapcori was a Grade I-placed juvenile and annexed the GIII Precisionist S. as a 4-year-old on the Santa Anita main track. Tizfiz was bred back to Constitution for 2020.