Churchill Downs | Horse Racing Free Tips

‘It Doesn’t Matter What Year You’re In It’: Joseph Looking Forward To Ny Traffic’s Run In Kentucky Derby

Trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. said he was looking for a little more out of Ny Traffic in his penultimate work towards the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on September 5 at Churchill Downs, and the conditioner got just what he wanted when the four-time graded stakes placed son of Cross Traffic went a sharp five-eighths in 59.03 on Thursday morning over the Saratoga main track.

“He seems happy and that's the most important thing,” Joseph Jr. said. “I think that was our stiff work and it went as well as we could have wanted it to go. We just wanted him to come into a bit of urgency so the work will bring him forward and I think he got something out of it.”

Bred in the Empire State by Brian Culnan, Ny Traffic will arrive at the Kentucky Derby off runner-up finishes in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby on March 21 at Fair Grounds, the Grade 3 Matt Winn on May 23 at Churchill Downs and the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational on July 18 at Monmouth Park, where he came up a nose shy of victory to wire-to-wire winner Authentic.

Ny Traffic will have one more work at Saratoga before shipping to Churchill Downs either next Sunday or Monday.

“We're ahead of schedule. We planned it that way in case we have to change things because of the weather,” Joseph Jr. said. “Right now, the weather has rain on Thursday or Friday so he could work next week any day between Thursday or Saturday of next week.”

Joseph Jr. is still relishing the opportunity to compete in the historic event for the first time.

“Obviously we are in a strange year, but in 30-40 years when you look back, it doesn't matter what year you're in it,” Joseph Jr. said. “It's still the Derby. If we can win it this year, it won't mean any less. It will mean everything.”

Ny Traffic is fifth on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 110 points, which he garnered from his three runner-up efforts as well as a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Risen Star at Fair Grounds in February.

Joseph, Jr. said he is cautiously optimistic his colt will put in a winning performance against fellow New York-bred and likely race favorite Tiz the Law.

“We definitely feel that we're taking a horse with a chance. He's an outsider, but he has a legit chance,” Joseph, Jr. said. “Sometimes you take horses there that you know have no chance, but you still hope. But we feel that we have a horse that on his best day could upset them. Tiz the Law, he's a class above everybody. His record speaks for itself and we respect him, but we hope we can beat him.”

Also working for Joseph, Jr. on Thursday morning was Math Wizard, who provided the conditioner with his first Grade 1 victory when taking last year's Pennsylvania Derby. The son of Algorithms went a half-mile in 48.71 seconds and will most likely compete in next Saturday's Grade 2 Charles Town Classic, but is possible for the Grade 1, $500,000 Woodward on September 5 at Saratoga.

“Charles Town is in play, but the Woodward is on the backburner,” Joseph, Jr. said. “He worked well this morning and it would be his last work if he ends up going to Charles Town. We'll play it by ear and talk to the owner and see what they want to do.”

Two-time graded stakes winner Tonalist's Shape went five furlongs in 1:01.22 over the Saratoga main track and is likely for either the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks on Friday, September 4 or the Grade 2 Eight Belles at Churchill Downs on the same day.

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The TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 For August 20

Nothing can overshadow the GI Kentucky Derby, but the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks will come as close as it gets. The showdown between the brilliant ‘TDN Rising Star‘ Gamine (Into Mischief) and the indomitable Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) could make for the most compelling race of the year. Both have been so good that it is hard to see one losing, but one must. This is the 3-year-old version of Rachel Alexandra versus Zenyatta.

With Swiss Skydiver polishing off the competition once again in last Saturday’s GI Alabama S., the last Oaks prep has been run and the field is all but set. Envoutante (Uncle Mo), Crystal Ball (Malibu Moon), Harvey’s Lil Goil (American Pharoah) and Spice Is Nice (Curlin) have all fallen off the list after being beaten a long way in the Alabama.

Meanwhile, Swiss Skydiver’s jockey assignment is not yet set. Trainer Kenny McPeek said the choice has come down to Brian Hernandez, Jr. or Tyler Gaffalione, who rode her in the Alabama. And a familiar name has reemerged. Though his filly has not started since Mar. 8, trainer Simon Callaghan reports that ‘Rising Star‘ Donna Veloce (Uncle Mo) is back in serious training and will have a work Friday at Del Mar that will determine whether she goes in the Oaks or the GII Eight Belles S.

1) GAMINE (Into Mischief—Peggy Jane, by Kafwain)
‘TDN Rising Star’ O-Michael L. Petersen. B-Grace Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY). T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $220,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP; $1,800,000 2yo ’19 FTMMAY. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 4-3-0-0, $363,600.
Last Start: GI Longines Test S., SAR, Aug. 8
Accomplishments: 1st GI Longines Acorn S., BEL, June 20
Next Start: GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, CD, Sept. 4
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 50.

Reasons why Gamine will beat Swiss Skydiver: she is the faster of the two horses. She ran a 110 Beyer in the GI Longines Acorn S. and a 108 in the GI Longines Test S. The best Swiss Skydiver has managed a 102, her number for the Alabama. She has brilliant early speed and can use that to her advantage. There are not a lot of other front-running types lining up for the Oaks and Gamine may well find herself loose on the lead. She cost $1.8 million at the sales, $1.765 million more than Swiss Skydiver went for. Bob Baffert is very hard to beat when he comes into these big races with talented horses. Among the Big 2, Gamine is the more unproven filly because we don’t know just yet if she will be at her best at a mile-and-an-eighth, but if she crushes the field we are definitely talking about one of the best of all time.

2) SWISS SKYDIVER (Daredevil–Expo Gold, by Johannesburg)
O-Peter J Callahan. B-WinStar Farm (KY). T-Kenneth G McPeek. Sales History: $35,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 9-5-2-1, $952,980.
Last Start: 1st GI Alabama S., SAR, Aug. 15
Next Start: GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, CD, Sept. 4
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 450.

Reasons why Swiss Skydiver will beat Gamine: While distance is an unknown for Gamine, Swiss Skydiver is rock solid at nine furlongs. That’s her edge over Gamine, the distance. She cost $35,000 at the sales as compared to $1.8 million for Gamine and underdogs do have a way of coming through. Trainer Kenny McPeek, who takes a backseat to no one, is due to win an Oaks. He’s winless in nine tries, but has finished second twice. She seems to get better with every start and is coming off a career-best race in the Alabama. Since she came into her own in the March 28 GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, Swiss Skydiver has always fired. She just doesn’t have a bad day. She’s simply a very good horse.

3) SPEECH (Mr Speaker—Scribbling Sarah, by Freud)
O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. B-Gail Rice (FL).
T-Michael W. McCarthy. Sales history: $65,000 ylg ’18 OBSWIN; $95,000 RNA ylg ’18 FTKJUL; $190,000 2yo ’19 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: GISW, 7-2-4-1, $353,840.
Last Start: 1st GI Ashland S., KEE, July 11
Next Start: GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, CD, Sept. 4
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 160.

Does she need both Gamine and Swiss Skydiver to have a bad day in order to win? The most likely answer is yes. After finishing behind Gamine in an allowance at Oaklawn (she was elevated to first after Gamine tested positive for lidocaine) and second behind Swiss Skydiver in the GII Santa Anita Oaks, Speech probably has to improve four or five lengths to have any chance. That’s not a knock on her but an indication of how good the Big 2 are. Doesn’t have the speed of Gamine, but can press the pace and might be put in the position of having to go against Gamine early. Will be seeking a third Kentucky Oaks win over the last three years for co-owner Sol Kumin, who won the Oaks in 2018 with Monomoy Girl (Tapizar).

4) DONNA VELOCE (Uncle Mo—Coin Broker {Ire}, by Montjeu {Ire}) ‘TDN Rising Star‘ O-Kaleem Shah, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith. B-Coin Broker Syndicate (KY). T-Simon Callaghan. Sales History: $450,000 yrl ’18 KEESEP; $800,000 2yo ’19 FTFMAR. Lifetime Record: MGISP, 4-2-2-0, $490,000.
Last Start: 1st GIII Santa Ysabel S., SA, Mar. 8.
Next Start: Possible for GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, CD, Sept. 4 OR GII Eight Belles S., CD, Sept. 4
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 62.

Her potential re-entry into the Oaks picture was unexpected, as she will come into the race off a layoff of nearly six months. Can she fire her best shot after so much time on the bench? She will have to do so to have any chance and maybe even to finish in the top four. A tall task, but let’s not forget what a talented filly this horse is. She finished second in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies after just one prior start, a 6 1/2-furlong maiden, and she beat Speech by 4 1/4 lengths in her lone start this year. Connections have said she may go in the seven-furlong GII Eight Belles S. over the Oaks. Her status will be determined after a work Friday.

5) BONNY SOUTH (Munnings—Touch the Star, by Tapit)
O/B-Juddmonte Farms (Ky). T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-3-1-0, $443,350.
Last Start: 2nd GI Alabama S., SAR, Aug. 15
Next Start: GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, CD, Sept. 4
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 190.

Is second on the Kentucky Oaks points list, trailing only Swiss Skydiver. After finishing a distant fourth in the GI Ashland S., she didn’t appear to have the stuff to be a major contender in the Oaks. She didn’t come through in her biggest test to that point and was throwing in Beyer numbers in the 80s, which weren’t going to get it done in the Oaks. But it’s time to take a second look at her. She was no threat to winner Swiss Skydiver in the Alabama, but finished second ahead of some good horses in what was likely the best race of her life. It appears she liked the mile-and-a-quarter in the Alabama.

6) SHEDARESTHEDEVIL (Daredevil–Starship Warpspeed, by Congrats)
O-Flurry Racing Stables LLC, Qatar Racing Limited & Big Aut Farms. B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY). T-Brad Cox. Sales History: $100,000 wlg ’17 KEENOV; $20,000 RNA yrl ’18 KEESEP; $280,000 2yo ’19 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 9-4-2-2, $501,768.
Last Start: 1st GIII Indiana Oaks, IND, July 8
Next Start: GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, CD, Sept. 4
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 90.

Really no telling how good this filly is. While trainer Brad Cox threw Bonny South into two straight Grade I events, he has picked out a couple of easy spots of late for his other Oaks contender. Probably the biggest knock on her is that she lost to Swiss Skydiver by 13 1/4 lengths in the Fantasy. No matter how this turns out, it is a remarkable feat for sire Daredevil (also the sire of Swiss Skydiver) to have two fillies in the running for the Oaks. In November, Daredevil was sold to overseas interests and now stands in Turkey.

7) HOPEFUL GROWTH (Tapiture—Maiden America, by Rock Hard Ten)
O-St Elias Stable. B-Phillips Racing Partnership (KY). T-Anthony Margotta Jr. Sales History: $160,000 Ylg ’18 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-3-1-0, $183,240.
Last Start: 1st GIII Monmouth Oaks, MTH, Aug. 1
Next Start: GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, CD , Sept. 4
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 50.

Will be one of several horses in the race who go off at odds of 20-1 or higher and won’t be given much of a chance by most handicappers. The best thing that can be said for her is that she ran the race of her life when winning the GIII Monmouth Oaks in her last start. But she will be facing a much, much tougher field at Churchill and hasn’t done enough yet to suggest she is capable of beating the very best 3-year-old fillies in the country.

8) TONALIST’S SHAPE (Tonalist—Hitechnoweenie, by Harlan’s Holiday)
O-Slam Dunk Racing, Doug Branham & Legacy Ranch, Inc. B-Sabana Farm (KY). T-Saffie Joseph, Jr. Sales History: $45,000 RNA yrl ’18 KEESEP; $60,000 RNA 2yo ’19 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 8-6-0-0, $378,425.
Last Start: 4th GI CCA Oaks, SAR, July 18
Next Start: GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, CD, Sept. 4
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 70.

If you go on recent form, she doesn’t have a prayer. She was beaten 11 3/4 lengths in the GI Coaching Club American Oaks, which didn’t feature a particularly tough field. For her to even come close she’s going to have to duplicate the form she showed over the winter at Gulfstream for perpetually hot trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. Even though her sire won the GI Belmont S., she shows signs of being at her best around one turn and in races at a mile or less.

9) PROJECT WHISKEY (Tapizar—Over the Moon, by Malibu Moon)
O-Cash Is King LLC & LC Racing; B-Dark Hollow Farm (MD); T-Robert E Reid Jr. Sales History: $35,000 Ylg ’18 FTMOCT. Lifetime Record: 8-3-1-2, $302,580.
Last Start: 2nd GIII Monmouth Oaks, MTH, Aug. 1
Next Start: GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, CD, Sept. 4
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 70

Like Swiss Skydiver, she cost just $35,000 at the sales, going for that price at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Eastern Fall Yearling Sale in 2018. She entered the Kentucky Oaks picture with a half-length win at 38-1 in the GIII Delaware Oaks, but couldn’t back that up when second in the Monmouth Oaks. Co-owner Chuck Zacney may have a case of Kentucky Oaks Fever, understandable after his Cathryn Sophia (Street Boss) won the race in 2016.

10) TEMPERS RISING (Bayern—Marchmont, by Mountain Cat)
O-Mark H & Nancy W Stanley; B-Dr Bryan Boone DVM (KY); T-Dallas Stewart. Sales History: $50,000 Wlg ’17 KEENOV; $70,000 Ylg ’18 KEESEP; $145,000 RNA 2yo ’19 OBSMAR; $170,000 RNA 2yo ’19 FTMMAY; $150,000 RNA HIT ’20 KEEHRA. Lifetime Record: 10-1-5-2, $222,627.
Last Start: 2nd Alw/Opt. Clm., ELP, July 31
Next Start: GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, CD, Sept. 4
Equineline PPs. KY Oaks Points: 47

Trainer Dallas Stewart is known for his ability to get big long shots ro run surprisingly big races in major events. He won the Oaks in 2016 with 47-1 shot Lemons Forever (Lemon Drop Kid). Can he do it again? It will be very difficult. Tempers Rising shows just a maiden win from 10 career start and was beaten last time out in an allowance race at Ellis Park. She did run second behind Bonny South in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks. Stewart will need all of his longshot magic to get this one to finish on the board.

The post The TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 For August 20 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Derby Jockeys: With Several Big Names Staying Home, Kentucky Riders Get A Shot In The Big Dance

In a normal year, jockeys would be hard-pressed to miss their flights to Louisville for a chance to ride in the Kentucky Derby. Obviously, 2020 has been anything but a normal year, with the coronavirus pandemic pushing the Run for the Roses back to Sept. 5 and drawing up jockey travel restrictions all around the United States.

Last week, Churchill Downs announced that riders wanting to participate in the Derby will have to arrive in the state of Kentucky by Aug. 31, and participate in several additional coronavirus precautions.

As such, a number of prominent U.S. jockeys won't be making the trip to Kentucky. Jose and Irad Ortiz will both stay in New York, as will Joel Rosario, reports the Daily Racing Form, and last year's Derby winner Flavien Prat will stay in Southern California.

Those choices have opened the doors for Kentucky-based riders to have a chance to pick up a mount in the Derby.

Here's a look at the current 3-year-olds pointing to the Kentucky Derby, and their jockeys (plus state in which they are based), in order of points earned.

Tiz the Law – Manny Franco (New York) – 372
Authentic – John Velazquez (New York) – 200
Art Collector – Brian Hernandez, Jr. (Kentucky) – 150
Honor A. P. – Mike Smith (California) – 140
Ny Traffic – TBD (last ridden by Paco Lopez) – 110
King Guillermo – Samy Camacho (Florida) – 90
Thousand Words – Florent Geroux (Kentucky) – 83
Dr Post – TBD (last ridden by Joe Bravo) – 80
Max Player – Ricardo Santana, Jr. (Kentucky) – 60
Caracaro – TBD (last ridden by Javier Castellano) – 60
Enforceable – Adam Beschizza (Kentucky) – 43
Rushie – TBD (last ridden by Javier Castellano) – 40
Major Fed – James Graham (Kentucky) – 38
Storm the Court – Julien Leparoux (Kentucky) – 36
Attachment Rate – Joe Talamo (Kentucky) – 35
Sole Volante – Luca Panici (Florida) – 30
Finnick the Fierce – TBD (last ridden by Jose Ortiz) – 25
Winning Impression – Joe Rocco, Jr. (Kentucky) – 20
Necker Island – Mitchell Murrill (Kentucky) – 14
Shirl's Speight – Rafael Hernandez (Canada) – 0
Money Moves – TBD (last ridden by Luis Saez) – 0

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Churchill Downs Closes Infield, Cancels General Admission Tickets For Kentucky Derby Due To COVID-19

Churchill Downs Racetrack officials today released a detailed 62-page health and safety operations plan that will limit attendance to the 146th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on Saturday, Sept. 5 to less than 14 percent of total capacity from the 2015 attendance record.

The Kentucky Derby, first staged in 1875, is the longest continually-held major sporting event in the United States and was originally scheduled for May 5. A record crowd of 170,513 attended the event in 2015. Due to physical distancing protocols and other safety measures in place to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19, less than 23,000 guests are expected Sept. 5 for the rescheduled Kentucky Derby 146.

There will be no General Admission this year. Churchill Downs stated in late June that General Admission would be limited to the 26-acre Infield. However, given current circumstances, pre-purchased General Admission tickets will be refunded, and the Infield will be closed.

Reserved seating will be limited to a maximum of 40 percent occupancy. Also, Standing Room Only or “Walk Around” tickets have been eliminated. All outdoor ticket holders will be reseated in a new comparable location either prior to or during the event to provide for maximum distancing.

Temperature checks, medical questionnaires, physical distancing and mandatory face coverings will be required upon entrance and movement within the 190-acre Churchill Downs. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. Each guest will receive a courtesy “Healthy at the Track” bag, which will include a disposable mask, a pocket-sized hand sanitizer and a personal stylus for non-contact self-service wagering.

Compliance of Churchill Downs' public safety measures is a condition of admittance and will be strictly enforced. Offenders will receive a warning; repeat offenders will be escorted from the property.

“The opportunity to safely welcome back a limited number of guests to Churchill Downs on the first week of September is a privilege that our team doesn't take for granted,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Kevin Flanery. “Our extensive plan meets or exceeds all recommended state and local guidelines. We've received an exceptional level of support from regulators, medical experts and public health authorities and we'll continue to carefully work with them to ensure we're doing everything we can to keep our customers, employees and communities safe.

“We will have fewer guests at this year's Derby as reducing the size of the crowd is an important step to ensuring a safe environment. Medical best practices and protocols – many of which we have applied in consultation with experts both inside and outside the sports industry – will be implemented, and we'll make adjustments all the way up to Derby Day as we find ways to improve and continue to adhere to ever-evolving best practices.

“The role of the Kentucky Derby and its importance to our community and the nation as a whole takes on even greater significance this year. Over the past several months, our country has faced both the spread of COVID-19 and a moment of national reckoning with racial inequities following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others. These important issues deserve thoughtful discussion, continued conversation and subsequent action. To this end, the atmosphere at this year's Kentucky Derby will not be the celebration it normally is. However, we're optimistic that this time-honored event, which belongs to our community and our country, will serve as a progressive unifying force that can help bring us together.”

Churchill Downs' detailed 62-page health and safety operations plan was developed over the last four months in close collaboration with public health experts and other relevant stakeholders. Advice and counsel from the Louisville Metro Health Department along with key elements of Kentucky's Healthy at Work guidance are incorporated throughout the document. This plan will allow Churchill Downs to safely and responsibly host Kentucky Derby Week (Tuesday, Sept. 1 through Saturday, Sept. 5) with a limited number of spectators. The original plan was approved by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear in late June, and this version exceeds all recommended state and local guidelines and is subject to continued review.

Highlights of the plan include:

Attendance will be limited with no Standing Room Only or “Walk Around” tickets and a maximum of 40% occupancy of reserved seats.
There will be no general admission tickets throughout Kentucky Derby Week. Attendance will be limited to guests with reserved seats. The Infield will be closed on Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby days.
Wearing cloth face coverings will be mandatory throughout the entire venue, both indoors and outdoors, when not actively consuming food or beverage.
Everyone entering Churchill Downs will be screened via a medical questionnaire and a contactless thermometer. Individuals with a temperature in excess of 100 degrees will be prohibited from entering Churchill Downs.
Personal-use hand sanitizers will be provided upon entry and more than 500 hand sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the facility.
Signage will be displayed throughout the venue to encourage healthy practices and staff and security will move about the facility to monitor conditions and assist customers.
Access throughout the facility will be severely limited. Entry points to any seating sections beyond designated seating areas throughout the facility will be eliminated.
Seating with up to 40 percent capacity will be repositioned to provide for greater distancing.
Pari-mutuel tellers will be properly spaced and provided PPE for betting transactions. Guests are encouraged to wager online through TwinSpires.com, the official advance deposit wagering platform of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby.
Options from concession stands will be limited to mostly pre-packaged foods. Plated meals and meal packages from pre-set menus will be served in other locations.
With the reduced capacity, guest shuttles from offsite parking locations are being eliminated and guests are encouraged to utilize neighborhood-parking options. Refunds will be made to all attending ticket holders that had offsite parking included with a reserved seat.
To reduce crowding, select Kentucky Derby Week activities have been eliminated including autograph signings, concerts in the Plaza, fashion contests, Taste of Derby, the Survivors Parade and the Red Carpet.
Dawn at the Downs, the annual event to dine while observing morning workouts, has been moved to Monday, Aug. 31, and will be limited to guests with reserved seats; there will be no free general admission.
Key programming elements will transition to digital platforms.
The stable area will be restricted to essential personnel. Guests and parties in the stable area for morning workouts and during race days will be prohibited.
Additional protocols for Stable Area personnel and race participants (jockeys, trainers, grooms, etc.) will be finalized in the coming days.

The full plan includes details on Churchill Downs' protocols for facility sanitation, cleaning and disinfecting practices and workforce preparation training and deployment.

“For those guests who plan to join us for this year's Derby, we promise you that we will make it a wonderful experience, and most importantly, we will make it as safe and comfortable as we possibly can,” Flanery said.

The complete safety operations plan can be viewed online at www.KentuckyDerby.com/DerbySafetyPlan.

NBC will televise coverage of the Kentucky Derby and undercard racing on Sept. 5 from 2:30-7:30 p.m. ET. The 146th running of the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks, the Derby's counterpart for 3-year-old fillies, will be televised Friday, Sept. 4 on NBCSN from 3-6 p.m. ET.

The Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying races are nearing completion. Saturday's Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park is the final race on the extended schedule and will award 20-8-4-2 points to the top four finishers. The overwhelming early Kentucky Derby favorite is Sackatoga Stables' Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law, who easily won last weekend's Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Tiz the Law, trained by Barclay Tagg and ridden by Manny Franco, has won six of his seven career starts and $2,015,300. Other top Derby contenders include Blue Grass Stakes and Ellis Park Derby winner Art Collector; Santa Anita Derby winner Honor A. P.; and Haskell Stakes winner Authentic.

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