As Tiz the Law prepares to go to the post as the 3-5 favorite in tomorrow's Kentucky Derby, it's hard not to notice that his lone career loss came at Churchill Downs. If anything, Sackatoga Stables co-founder and operating manager Jack Knowlton says, he's feeling a little better about that this week.
“In many ways I think there's enough pressure now at the 3-5 favorite, but if you go into this race as an undefeated horse seven races in, that would be a little too much to bear,” Knowlton told media Thursday. “If you're going to lose one that was the one to lose.”
Knowlton referred to the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, in which Tiz the Law came third behind Silver Prospector and Finnick the Fierce. There was a lot going on for Tiz the Law in that race last November – he didn't break well and was stuck behind a slow pace, jammed in at the rail for most of the race.
“The jockeys here were race riding,” Knowlton. “They were doing what they were supposed to do, giving themselves the best chance to win.
“After the race, Manny Franco said it wasn't the track, it was the trip.”
Knowlton hopes that if anything, experiencing a trip that didn't go as planned has made the colt even tougher. It's safe to say most of this racing season has not gone as planned for horses or humans. One of many concerns for Tiz the Law's connections was the drawn-out nature of this year's road to the Derby, and whether he could remain in peak form long enough to make the Derby. Now, after a decisive Travers win and a Belmont Stakes victory, Knowlton thinks it's possible the longer timeframe makes Tiz the Law's accomplishments all the more impressive.
“Some people were concerned because it's only four weeks between the Travers and Kentucky Derby this year,” said Knowlton. “You look at the two works he had up at Saratoga and I think that question was answered. He's as sharp as he's ever been.”
If Tiz the Law is good enough to win both the Derby and the Preakness, Knowlton points out he will be just the second horse in Triple Crown history to win all three races plus the Travers. Whirlaway is the only one to manage it in 1941. Only American Pharoah and Affirmed have tried.
Having a good horse in this strange year has its drawbacks, though.
“Everything is different,” said Knowlton, who noted Sackatoga partners had to watch their G1 Florida Derby win from home. “It's frustrating to have a horse that's this kind of horse and turned into what he's turned into, and not be able to go to the race.”
In a small semblance of normalcy however, Knowlton said Funny Cide fans can again expect to see Sackatoga partners pouring out of a yellow school bus. In fact, to allow for social distancing, they're making the trip to Churchill in two of them.
The post Tiz The Law’s Only Loss Came At Churchill Downs, But Knowlton Says His Problem Wasn’t The Track appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
