Lone Star Park, 10th Race - May 12, 2007
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas -- Slew's Tizzy opened up some new options for himself on Saturday, with an off-the-pace win in the Grade 3, $300,000 Lone Star Derby at Lone Star Park. He won by a length and three-quarters over Moyer's Pond, and the Belmont Stakes is now a "real possibility" for his next start, said Greg Fox, who trains Slew's Tizzy.
The Lone Star Derby was the richest of three stakes on a card that turned wet late in the afternoon. A sudden rainstorm hit just prior to the seventh race, and the track was downgraded from fast to sloppy for the remainder of the card, which included the three stakes.
Slew's Tizzy ($7) handled the going to register his first win on dirt. His other career victories - the Grade 2 Lexington at Keeneland and a maiden race at Turfway Park - were wire-to-wire on Polytrack. Fox said he will soon discuss advancing to the Belmont Stakes with Slew's Tizzy's owner, Joe Lacombe.
"That would be a real possibility," Fox said of the Belmont. "We were hoping to clear the hurdle, the way we did, and demonstrate that he is a legitimate contender for that kind of race."
Lacombe and Fox decided earlier this week to pass the Preakness in favor of the Lone Star Derby.
"We have four weeks now to recover" Fox said. "The Belmont is a Grade 1. It's a Triple Crown race. It's an incredible opportunity to have a horse that might be able to fit, but the Ohio Derby is a prestigious race. It's a very nice place. I've had good experiences there, too."
Slew's Tizzy broke well in the mile and a sixteenth Lone Star Derby, and settled about three lengths off of Mr. Nightlinger, who was pressured by Taksent through fractions of 22.59 seconds for the opening quarter, 46.77 for the half-mile mark, and 1:12.30 for six furlongs. Slew's Tizzy moved to the leaders midway on the turn, got past a stubborn Mr. Nightlinger in the stretch, then went on to cover the distance in 1:45.49.
"We were sitting nice behind the speed horses, and it set up good," said Robby Albarado, who rode Slew's Tizzy. "He showed that he didn't have to be in front.
"I was concerned about the [wet] racetrack, but he got over it nicely and he prevailed today. It was a good spot for him."
Slew's Tizzy earned $165,000 for the win, which was his third from seven career starts. He has now earned $385,252. Slew's Tizzy is a son of Tiznow.
Moyer's Pond finished three-quarters of a length in front of Forty Grams and Mr. Nightlinger, who dead-heated for third.
* In other stakes, Lilly Ladue ($9) dug in to hold off the late-running Stage Stop and win the $125,000 Got Koko division of the Texas Stallion Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. Lilly Ladue, who led throughout, covered the mile and a sixteenth in 1:48.06. Larry Taylor rode the winner for trainer Bret Calhoun.
* Spoonerism ($17.40) came into the stretch six wide and ran down the leaders for a three-length win over Austin Lights in the $125,000 Stymie division of the Texas Stallion Stakes for 3-year-olds. Justin Shepherd rode the winner for trainer Danny Pish.
* Attendance was 9,841, and handle on the 11-race program from all sources was $2,670,977.