Tiznow Colt Sizzles During Fasig-Tipton Under Tack Show

A Tiznow   colt redeemed himself in a very big way, blazing a quarter mile in :20 3/5 Sunday at Calder Race Course.

Fasig-Tipton executive Boyd Browning said he couldn't remember any horse ever working that distance as fast prior to the company's select sale of 2-year-olds in training in South Florida. The sizzling time came during the second and final under tack show for the auction, which is scheduled for Tuesday, and prompted Fasig-Tipton marketing director Terence Collier, who was the announcer for the show, to exclaim: "Wow! How about that!"

During the sale's first under tack show Feb. 19, the colt failed to shine, turning in a lackluster :22 1/5 effort.

"I don't know what happened," said his consignor, Florida pinhooker Hoby Kight. "You could have cut my throat, and I wouldn't have bled a drop. He wasn't sick, and he had been training great. But I think, because I knew how good he was, I just got to going too easy with him -- lots of works, but slow works. It was my fault. I dropped the ball. But that first work sharpened him up, and that's all it took. He redeemed himself today."

Kight's wife, Layna, who was aboard the colt, had to scramble to make it to Calder in time to work him Sunday. The private plane that had been chartered to bring her to Florida from a barrel racing competition in Texas had mechanical problems. She found another plane, but that only got her to Dallas. She spent Saturday night on a couch in an office, according to her husband, before taking a commercial flight to Miami Sunday morning.

"Barrel racing is her passion; this (selling 2-year-olds) is mine," Kight said.

Don Mattox purchased the colt for $200,000 at the 2005 Keeneland September yearling auction. A lean bay with a lot of leg, the colt is the first foal out of the 8-year-old winning Hennessy mare Evil, who is a full sister to stakes winner Handsome Hunk and a half-sister to an added-money winner in France, Prussian Blue (by Polish Navy).

When the colt worked Sunday on Calder's main track, it was raining and the strong tailwind that had preceded the storm was not as intense. Earlier, conditions had been ideal, with sunshine and plenty of bounce in the Calder surface from the moisture remaining from Friday night's heavy showers.

At an eighth of a mile, the fastest time Sunday was :10 1/5. Twelve horses turned in that clocking – 10 on dirt and two on turf. The dirt standouts were an Orientate   – Contrive colt, a Distorted Humor   – Cozzena colt, a Buddha – Danzig Darling colt, an Orientate – Deb's Magic colt, a Grand Slam – Gold Ransom filly, a Dixie Union – In Conference colt, an Include   – Lovely Nedra colt; a Minardi – Now That's Jazz colt, a Yonaguska – Pack'n the Sand colt, and a Silver Deputy – Such Flair colt. The turf standouts were a Pulpit – Rahy Rose filly and an Unbridled's Song – Separata colt.

Tuesday's Fasig-Tipton auction starts at 11 a.m. (EST).