Magdalena Racing's Tiz the Bomb, who has won over three different surfaces, will turn his focus to a turf campaign and a start in the Grade 1, $1 million Caesars Belmont Derby Invitational for sophomores travelling 1 1/4 miles over the turf on July 9 at Belmont Park.
“That's where we're headed,” owner and trainer Kenny McPeek said. “He should be set for the race on July 9.”
The Caesars Belmont Derby is the first leg of the Caesars Turf Triple series at NYRA and is followed by the 1 3/16-mile Grade 1, $1 million Caesars Saratoga Derby Invitational on August 6 at Saratoga Race Course and the 1 1/2-mile $1 million Caesars Jockey Club Derby in September at Belmont.
Tiz the Bomb was last seen finishing ninth in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 7, defeated 12 1/2 lengths by upset winner Rich Strike after breaking slowly and finding his best stride late. The Kentucky Derby marked a return to dirt for Tiz the Bomb, who punched his ticket to Louisville with a 2 1/4-length win in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks over synthetic at Turfway Park.
“I thought he really needed to break clean and be positioned to run better in the Derby, but he didn't disgrace himself,” McPeek said. “It could have gone better, but we gave him his chance, which he deserved.”
The bay son of Hit It a Bomb broke his maiden at second asking in an off-the-turf maiden in July at Ellis Park, splashing home an impressive 14 1/4-length winner. He made his next three outings over the turf, earning wins in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile and Grade 2 Bourbon before finishing a game second to Modern Games in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar to close out his juvenile campaign.
McPeek said that while Tiz the Bomb has shown proficiency over the dirt, he will now focus on turf races going forward.
“I definitely think he's significantly better on the grass,” said McPeek. “We gave him his dirt try and he's a lovely horse. I'm excited. These next couple races are really good spots for him – great distances and surfaces.”
Tiz the Bomb, out of the winning Tiznow mare Tiz the Key, was a $300,000 purchase by McPeek at 2020 Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Showcase. He boasts a consistent record of 9-5-1-0 and earnings in excess of $1 million, making him the leading progeny for his sire by earnings.
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