Tiz Now Tiz Then Rallies For Iowa Derby

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Making his first start in stakes company, Tiz Now Tiz Then made a bold five-wide move into the stretch, took over near the furlong marker and won going away in the $250,000 Iowa Derby June 27 at Prairie Meadows.

Going off as the 5-1 second choice in a field of eight, Tiz Now Tiz Then was near the back of the pack for three-quarters, but under Miguel Mena stormed into contention coming out of the final turn and sprinted past rivals to score by 2 1/4 lengths. The final time for 1 1/16 miles on a ‘fast’ main track was 1:41.69.

Maya’s Storm, who chased the winner through the stretch and crossed the wire second under Richard Monterrey, was disqualified after Acting Zippy rider Shane Laviolette claimed foul for interference just inside the eighth-pole. Maya’s Storm was eventually placed fifth. Repenting was moved into the runner-up spot, with Day of Victory – the only filly in the event – getting third. Acting Zippy was placed fourth.

Tiz Now Tiz Then needed seven starts to break his maiden, that coming April 5 on the Keeneland Polytrack going nine furlongs. The son of Tiznow   made it two in a row May 5 at Churchill Downs when he won by 2 1/2 lengths in allowance company. That was his first start on a traditional dirt surface.

Owned by Zabeel Racing International and trained by Eoin Harty, Tiz Now Tiz Then made the first six starts in California, finishing second twice.

In the Iowa Derby it was Repenting who set the pace through three-quarters under Alex Birzer, with Acting Zippy racing a length back. Maya’s Storm and Sebastian County were also near the front. Odds-one favorite and graded stakes winner Z Fortune was in contention for six furlongs but raced in traffic most of the way and eventually faded.

Repenting and Maya’s Storm came out of the turn in front, but it was not long before Tiz Now Tiz Then picked them up and pulled away under Mena.

The winner is out of the Seeking the Goldmare Trepidation. Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, he was bought at the Keeneland January 2006 Horses of All Ages sale for $110,000.

Tiz Now Tiz Then paid $12.60, $5.80 and $5.80. The exacta (4-1) returned $150.20, with the trifecta (4-1-2) netting $702.20.

(Chart, Equibase)

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