By Alan Carasso
Having already sent out the ultra-impressive Magnitude (Not This Time) to take last month's GII Risen Star Stakes, Steve Asmussen was back at it Saturday afternoon in New Orleans, as the Hall of Famer added the GII TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby with 15-2 chance Tiztastic (Tiz the Law). It was the Hall of Fame conditioner's fifth victory in the marquee event of the meeting in the Big Easy, equaling the record held by Todd Pletcher.
An even fifth to Coal Battle (Coal Front) from an awkward draw in 12 in the GII Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park Feb. 23, the $80,000 Keeneland January short-yearling who blossomed into a $335,000 Keeneland September yearling dropped himself out to the back of the pack to race last but one as the previously undefeated Sam F. Davis Stakes hero John Hancock (Constitution) showed the way through an opening quarter that was lively enough in :22.99. Patiently handled by Joel Rosario, Tiztastic remained near the back of the pack passing the six-furlong pole, but shortly thereafter commenced a middle move while hugging the fence that carried him into a position just in back of centerfield with four furlongs to travel.
John Hancock was clinging to a tenuous advantage after three-quarters in 1:11.03, but Tiztastic was making eye-catching progress inside on the tight second turn and swung into action four wide into the long Fair Grounds straight. Built (Hard Spun), who had enjoyed the run of the race just in the slipstream of the front-runner, got first run and set sail for home as John Hancock signed off readily, but Tiztastic came calling for the lead at the furlong grounds and wanted to lug in late but held safe. Chunk of Gold (Preservationist) was a good second ahead of Instant Replay (Maximum Security), who ran on well from the second half of the field to be third.
“Joel gave him the perfect trip on the day and the horse rose to the occasion,” Asmussen said. “He's getting better and great to see him run such a good race when it mattered so much. The horse has got a great mind about him. I love how he acted pre-race. He ran a solid race, but I think there's more in him.”
Winner of the valuable Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile last September, Tiztastic was the distant runner-up to Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in the GIII Street Sense Stakes Oct. 27 and third in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes the following month. A troubled third in the GIII Southwest Stakes in Hot Springs Jan. 25, the dark bay never truly reached contention in the Rebel, but was nevertheless beaten only 6 1/2 lengths.
Asmussen is looking forward to the next five weeks and the prospect of the first Saturday in May as he seeks an elusive first victory in the Derby, with Magnitude unfortunately forced to miss the Triple Crown races via injury.
“Hopefully he's the one that can get us over the hump,” he said.
Pedigree Notes:
A third graded winner from the first crop from his sire (by Constitution), Tiztastic is one of four winners from four to race out of his untried dam, a $220,000 purchase by Horse France carrying to Into Mischief at the 2017 Keeneland November Sale.
Also the dam of 2023 Ruthless Stakes winner and GII Beaumont Stakes runner-up Interpolate (Into Mischief), Keesha is a half-sister to SW & GSP Steady On (Pioneerof the Nile) and to Shumoos (Distorted Humor), a Group 3 winner in Europe on the all-weather and twice placed in Group 2 contests on the grass, including the 2011 G2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot. Switched to this country, the filly was second in the short-lived Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint and third in the GIII Las Flores Stakes.
Keesha is the dam of Tiztastic's 2-year-old full-brother Prize Pick, a $330,000 purchase by Flying Dutchmen at Keeneland September last fall and the mare is due to Practical Joke for her 2025 produce.
🌹 #3 TIZTASTIC ($17.00) and @JRosarioJockey fire out of the turn to win the $1M Louisiana Derby (G2) and the Steve Asmussen trainee earns 100 points toward the @KentuckyDerby.
Congratulations to all of the connections with this son of @CoolmoreAmerica's Tiz The Law. pic.twitter.com/r3SjPShw0Q— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 22, 2025
Saturday, Fair Grounds
TWINSPIRES.COM LOUISIANA DERBY-GII, $1,000,000, Fair Grounds, 3-22, 3yo, 1 3/16m, 1:56.20, ft.
1–TIZTASTIC, 122, c, 3, by Tiz the Law
1st Dam: Keesha, by Tapit
2nd Dam: Wile Cat, by Storm Cat
3rd Dam: Strategic Maneuver, by Cryptoclearance
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($80,000 Ylg '23 KEEJAN; $335,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith; B-Capital Bloodstock (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen; J-Joel Rosario. $600,000. Lifetime Record: 8-3-1-2, $1,549,800. *1/2 to Interpolate (Into Mischief), SW & GSP, $213,750. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Chunk of Gold, 122, c, 3, Preservationist–Play for Gold, by Cairo Prince. ($2,500 Ylg '23 FTKOCT). O-Terry L. Stephens; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-Ethan W. West. $200,000.
3–Instant Replay, 122, c, 3, Maximum Security–Academy Gal, by Medaglia d'Oro. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-Gary and Mary West; B-Gary & Mary West Stables Inc. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $100,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, HF, 3HF. Odds: 7.50, 10.30, 8.20.
Also Ran: John Hancock, Built, Vassimo, Hypnus, Caldera, Furio, Yinzer.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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