On a day of three 100-point prep races for the GI Kentucky Derby, it was TIZ THE BOMB (c, 3, Hit It a Bomb – Tiz the Key, by Tiznow)– An unofficial dark horse points to the Derby – who won GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks on Saturday at Turfway Park for one of the coveted 100-point slots. Drifting from 6-5 to 8-5, but still clearly favored once the doors flew in, Tiz the Bomb had a smooth stay and had a midfield ride outside through the odds: 23.25 and: 47.06. Gasping down the leaders’ necks, he was let go by Brian Hernandez, Jr. at about six feet and quickly moved into contention. Tiz the Bomb overhauled Port Tawny (Pioneer on the Nile), who took the helm of Manny Franco before the race, and was easy to command after a few left-handed touches, victory wrapped up in giant strides. as he threw his ear forward over the rope.
There are only eight races on the Kentucky Derby trail that give winners a maximum of 100 points – good for a guaranteed spot in the Derby starting gate – but coach Kenny McPeek hinted before the race that Tiz the Bomb will likely skip the Derby and target the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket April 30 and/or the G1 Cazoo Derby at Epsom June 4. He wasn’t firm on that stance right after the race.
“We’re not going to make a quick decision,” said McPeek, who said the ownership team would not rule out the Kentucky Derby. “We will have to figure out some of the details. I think the further he goes, the better. Just a really special pony. We have several options and they are really great options. For now, we will enjoy this and start from there. ”
He added on Jeff Ruby Steaks’ trip: “Brian’s got him in a really good spot and it looks like he’s going to have to carry some outside ground to get there, but he’s a The horse is good enough to handle it. I’m glad he got him out of trouble. This pony has come the farthest and finished anyway… We shouldn’t rule out Kentucky right now. I think he can handle that.”
The Turfway feature, now in its 51st run, has been contested under seven different names/sponsors throughout the years and has produced two Kentucky Derby winners in Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}, 2011) and Lil E. Tee (At the Threshold, 1992).
Jeff Ruby Steaks is Tiz the Bomb’s second win in as many starts on Turfway’s synthetic surfaces, as he nears victory in the John Battaglia S Memorial. March 5 after a five-year dirty test two lead to a finish fight after White Abarrio (Race Day) and Simplify (Not this time) during GIII Holy Bull S. at Gulfstream on Feb. 5. Those two were one of three in Saturday’s GI Florida Derby. Last year, Tiz the Bomb was the winner of GII Bourbon S. of Keeneland and runner-up of GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile S.
Genealogical notes:
McPeek is known for his ability to pick out stallions that might otherwise be overlooked and go on to succeed with them. While no one would call Tiz the Bomb a $330,000 bargain, he’s Hit It a Bomb’s most expensive cove to date and one of only two to bring home six. Somehow, it takes nerves of steel to buy a lust by a so far unproven mare compared to the mean and median of that stallion. McPeek was rewarded with the title of Hit It a Bomb’s most successful runner to date. The War front stallion, who stands at Spendthrift and is the 2015 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner, has two graded winners and three black type winners from two minor crops to race.
By contrast, WinStar founder Tiznow is no stranger to the betting scene as he has 52 black winners among his daughters, including GI Belmont S./GI Travers S. /GI Florida Derby / GI Champagne S. winner Law Tiz (Organization), who also finished second in the 2020 GI Kentucky Derby.
Tiz the Bomb was bred by Spendthrift after the farm bought Tiz the Key for $330,000 – the same price her son would eventually bring – as a Keeneland in September 2012. She was bred exclusively for Spendthrift stallions, with a 2-year-old Bel Rosso (Free Drop Billy), sold for $180,000 at FTKOCT for Rocket Ship Racing, and a foal being hunted by Mor Spirit. She delivered a filthy Gormley on Feb. 25. Tiz the Key comes from one of the best families in the stud book, as her fourth dam is the Gay Rocket (Sir Gaylord). Among some of Gay Missile’s influential ponies is Lassie Dear (Buckpasser), the dam of Broodmare of the Year Weekend Surprise (Secretary), who in turn produces AP Indy (Seattle Slew). Gay rocket launched from the green hen Missy Baba (My Babu {Fr}), whose notable ponies include the Toll Booth of the Year (Buckpasser).
Saturday, Lawn Park
JEFF RUBY Defeat S.-GIII$600,000, Track, 4-2, 3yo, 1 1/8m (AWT), 1:48.60, ft.
first-TIZ THE BOMB, 123, c, 3, by Hit It a Bomb
Beat One: Tiz the Key, by Tiznow
Strike 2: Cabbage Key, by AP Indy
3rd dam: Mayville’s Magic, Gone West’s Magic
($330,000 Ylg ’20 FTKSEL). O-Magdalena Racing, Lessee;
B-Spendthrift Farm, LLC (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek; J-Brian
Joseph Hernandez, Jr. $351,400. Lifetime record: GISP,
8-5-1-0, $1,044,401. Nick Werk Rating: A+.
Click to view eNicks report & pedigree of 5 children.
2-Port of Tawny123, c, 3, Pioneerof the Nile – Livi Makenzie, by
Macho Uno. TYPE 1 BLACK, TYPE OF BLACK LEVEL 1.
($430,000 Ylg ’20 KEESEP). Stabilize O-Peachtree; B-WinStar
Farms, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $114,000.
3–Rich Strike123, c, 3, Keen Ice-Gold Strike, by Smart Strike.
BLACK LEVEL 1ST. O-RED TR-Racing, LLC; B-Calumet
Farm (KY); T-Eric R. Reed. $57,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, 3HF, 3/4. Odds: 1.60, 3.70, 26.20.
Also Ran: Leader Dowagiac, Royal Spirit, Cabo Spirit, Stolen Base, Red Run, Organizationlawyer, Swing Shift, Great Escape, Optigogo. Scratches: Black bladder. Click to view Equibase.com chartthe PP of TJCIS.com or Free Equineline.com catalog style genealogy. VIDEO sponsored by TVG.
