Tiz the Law Lays it Down in Champagne

ELMONT, NY – Sackatoga Stable’s Tiz the Law scored one for the New York-bred program on Saturday when he commenced to lay it down strongly in the stretch to win the $500,000 Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park.

The Champagne is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event, with Tiz the Law receiving an automatic berth in the TVG Juvenile at Santa Anita Park this November.

Breaking from the far outside post 7 under Manny Franco as the 7/5 second choice on the tote, Tiz the Law bobbled slightly but quickly recovered and soon tucked in along the rail, checking off of heels at one point. Up front, the 6/5 favorite Green Light Go held a slight advantage over Gozilla through opening fractions of :22.57 and :46.15.

Still inside through the far turn, Tiz the Law tipped out to make a three-wide bid and shot right on past Gozilla and Green Light Go. Geared down at the 1/16 pole, the Barclay Tagg trainee completed the mile-long event over the fast main track in a final time of 1:35.41.

“He broke a little bit aggressive,” Franco said. “He bobbled a bit and then he took a strong hold early, but I got him to relax and he came back to me. I was just waiting for the moment. I didn’t want to move too early because I knew I had a lot of horse under me. I was trying to wait as long as I could. I had a lot of horse at the end. He’s a nice horse.”

After getting swept under by the winner, Green Light Go battled fiercely in the stretch to save second by a neck over a late-running Big City Bob, while a 1/2-length behind them, Gozilla headed Alpha Sixty Six. Completing the order of finish came Truculent, the race’s lone maiden.

Three Technique was scratched after it was announced on Friday that he had come down with a lung infection.

Tiz the Law’s win was his second in as many starts, having broken his maiden by 4 1/4 lengths against fellow New York-breds at Saratoga on August 8. The 2-year-old son of Constitution, purchased for $110,000 as a yearling, has now earned $317,900.

“It was just what I wanted to see,” Tagg said. “Out of the gate, he bobbled badly. He out broke himself. Manny did a great job with him. He got him all the way back and saved some ground. You’re taking a chance to jump into a big race like this in just his second start.”

Tiz the Law returned $4.80 to win, $2.80 to place, and $2.30 to show. Green Light Go brought back $2.50 to place and $2.20 to show, while Big City Bob paid $4.20 to show.

The Champagne was also a Kentucky Derby points qualifier, doling out 10 points to Tiz the Law, 4 to Green Light Go, 2 to Big City Bob, and 1 to Gozilla.