Tiznow TDN Rising Star Kentuckian dominates Grade 3 Laz Barrera S.

One day after My Sweet Addiction won the Vanity S. (G1), Tiznow got his second graded stakes winner of the weekend when the up-and-coming Kentuckian rolled to victory in Sunday’s Laz Barrera S. (G3) at Santa Anita Park.

Tabbed a “TDN Rising Star” after an 11-length debut victory at Golden Gate March 7, Kentuckian came into the Barrera off a troubled third in the April 12 San Pedro S. Bet down to the even-money favorite for Sunday’s seven-furlong affair, Kentuckian tracked three wide down the backstretch, a few lengths off Yiannis’ torrid half-mile in :43.64.

With Mike Smith sitting basically motionless, Kentuckian rolled to the front before the top of the stretch while about four paths off the rail. The last quarter-mile looked like a one-horse race as Kentuckian left the field of 3-year-olds further behind with each stride. The final margin was officially 6 ¼-lengths in a very rapid 1:20.97 on a fast track.

“He reminds me of Holy Bull,” said Smith while comparing Kentuckian to the Hall of Fame champion he rode. “He has an unbelievably high cruising speed and stride. The last furlong I pulled my stick up just because I heard Trevor (Denman) saying someone was coming but, when I looked on the big screen (in the infield), I put it back down.”

Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer for Rick Porter’s Fox Hill Farm, Kentuckian is 2-0-1 in three starts and has earned $85,080. He was bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings from the Unbridled’s Song mare Forest Music, a two-time graded stakes winner.

Hollendorfer contemplated the possibility of a route race for the gray colt’s next start.

“If we do decide to go two turns, we’re looking at the mile and a sixteenth race here on June 7 (Grade 3, $100,000 Affirmed S.),” said the trainer.