Chiefswood Stable’s Tiz a Slam was a repeat winner in the $197,000 Nijinsky S. (G2) Sunday afternoon at Woodbine, giving the 5-year-old Tiznow homebred his sixth career graded stakes win and pushing his earnings to $969,699.
The imposing bay is now riding a three race winning streak, with wins in the Singspiel S. (G3), also at Woodbine, and Churchill Downs’ Louisville S. (G3), coming prior to Sunday’s win.
Caught wide going into the first turn, Tiz a Slam nevertheless made the lead in the first quarter-mile of the 1 1/2-mile marathon. Given a somewhat loose rein by Steve Bahen, Tiz a Slam set solid fractions and slowing increased his lead as he passed each quarter. With plenty left in the tank, he set sail in the stretch to win by 4 1/4-lengths in 2:24.45 on the firm turf. The race was hand-timed, but if verified, will be a new track record.
“He was a big, big horse just taking a long time to actually reach total maturity, which he has now,” said trainer Roger Attfield. “We’ve looked after him really well and he’s sound and, like I say, when they reach full maturity and they’re sound and they’re happy, they’re only going to give you their best and that’s what he’s doing for us.”
Pedigree notes from the TDN:
Tiz a Slam is out of Flaming Rose, a half-sister to graded stakes winner Essential Edge. Tiz a Slam’s year-older half-sister Holy Flame, second in the 2015 Fanfreluche S., produced a colt by Tiznow in 2018. Chiefswood Stable purchased Tiz a Slam’s second dam Rose of Tara for $1.95 million at the 2002 Keeneland November sale. The winner’s third dam Flame of Tara produced multiple Group 1 winner Salsabil (Ire) and Group 1 winner Marju (Ire).
Tiz a Slam topped a terrific weekend for Tiznow, who’s 2-year-old colt Dennis’ Moment was named a TDN Rising Star following his 20-length maiden special weight win Saturday at Ellis Park.
The Albaugh Family Stables’ 2-year-old was picked out of last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling sale for $400,000 by racing manager Jason Loutsch, who had high praise for the colt’s sire.
“I kind of picked this one out at the Fasig-Tipton sale last August, said Loutsch. “I just love Tiznow and always wanted to own a Tiznow. I just fell in love with (Dennis’ Moment) last year, just how athletic-looking he was.”
