Tyson Keeps Punching In Seagram Win

Never off the board in his four prior career starts, Tyson (Tapit) avenged his sole defeat–a third behind Treason (Constitution) in the GII Eclipse S. June 4–with a win last time out over that rival in the GIII Dominion Day S. July 1.

Heavily bet down to 2-5 going for his second straight graded-stakes win, the 4-year-old wasted no time going right for the lead and assumed command a path off the rail ahead of Carrothers (Mshawish). Always under a wrap by jockey Rafael Hernandez, Tyson was briefly headed as he faced pressure up front from that same rival as the opening half went in :49.88. The top pair raced in tandem around the far turn but the grey had another gear left to find and, when roused at the furlong marker, easily dispatched Carrothers and quickly put open lengths on him to hit the wire much the best.

“He's a really nice horse,” said Hernandez. “[trainer] Josie [Carroll] told me, 'Raffi, just play it by ear. It's a small field, just see what happens and try to give a good race to the horse.' He'll do anything you want him to do. He showed up today.”

“It's one of our best pedigrees, one that we've cultivated for more than 30 years,” added owner/breeder John Sikura. “I have great admiration for Mike Tyson, and I thought this is a special horse, so I wanted to name him Tyson. Wonderful horse, beautifully bred and I want to thank everyone at the farm for the great job they've done, and Josie, for being a magnificent trainer and holding this horse together and getting him on the right track. It looks like he's going to be a champion.”

Pedigree Note:

Out of a winning full-sister to both GI Hollywood Starlet S. winner Streaming and SW Treasuring, Tyson counts MGSW Cezanne (Curlin), GSW/G1SP Arabian Hope (Distorted Humor), and recent GI Belmont S. hero Arcangelo (Arrogate) as members of his extended family under just his second dam. Third dam Better Than Honour is responsible for a pair of Belmont S. winners in champion 3-year-old filly Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy) and Jazil (Seeking the Gold) along with GSW/G1SP Casino Drive (Mineshaft) and GSW/GISP Greatest Honour (Tapit). Honouring has not produced a live foal since reporting a full-sister to Tyson in 2021 but did visit leading general sire Into Mischief for the 2024 season.

Jockey Rafael Hernandez sat chilly on TYSON ($2.90), shook off a stubborn Carrothers, and easily won the $175,000 Seagram Cup Stakes (G2) at @woodbinetb. This 4yo colt by @Gainesway's Tapit was trained Josie Carroll. Congrats to the connections! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/e1MiSztqt6

— FanDuel Racing (Formerly TVG) (@FanDuel_Racing) July 29, 2023

Saturday, Woodbine
SEAGRAM CUP S.-GII, C$178,850, Woodbine, 7-29, 3yo/up,
1 1/16m (AWT), 1:43.26, ft.
1–TYSON, 124, c, 4, by Tapit
      1st Dam: Honouring, by Smart Strike
      2nd Dam: Teeming, by Storm Cat
      3rd Dam: Better Than Honour, by Deputy Minister
($250,000 RNA Ylg '20 KEESEP). O/B-Hill 'n' Dale Equine
Holdings Inc (J G Sikura) & Stretch Run Ventures LLC (KY);
T-Josie Carroll; J-Rafael Manuel Hernandez. C$105,000.
Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-1, $225,205. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click
for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free
Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Carrothers, 122, g, 5, Mshawish–Queenofperfection, by Arch.
($125,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-Mad Dog Racing Stable; B-Siena
Farms LLC (KY); T-Martin Drexler. C$35,000.
3–Artie's Storm, 122, g, 5, We Miss Artie–Tiz Stormy Now, by
Tiznow. O-Buttigieg Training Centre; B-Sunrise Farm (ON);
T-Paul M Buttigieg. C$23,100.
Margins: 3, HF, 4HF. Odds: 0.45, 4.00, 14.25.
Also Ran: Clear Destination, Kingmax (Ire), Seventyseven Stone.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs.
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