The greatness of Tiznow.

Tiznow was a cranky, headstrong, and large colt out of Cee’s Tizzy and Cee’s Song by Seattle Song.

At age 3 he began his racing career on April 22, 2000, finishing 6th in a MSW race at Santa Anita. Three weeks later he ran 2nd in a MSW at Hollywood Park, and finally on May 31st, 2000 Tiznow broke his maiden in a decisive win over 1m 1/16.

After just one maiden win, Tiznow was pointed to the Grade 3 Affirmed at Hollywood Park. In an upset, Tiznow won the Affimed by 1/2 length over highly regarded Dixie Union. Next up, again just 3 weeks later, was Captain Steve and the Grade 1 Swaps at Hollywood Park. Perhaps it was too much too fast for the colt or maybe the extra distance was too much to ask, as he finished a laboring second to Captain Steve.

The action in California moved to Del Mar, and the still developing 3yo really started to add weight and become the imposing specimen we all remember. In just his 6th start ever, all within the past 4 months, Tiznow was going to take on older horses in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic. Regular mount Victor Espinoza decided to ride a Baffert entry, and Tiznow’s connections are facing older horses without a jockey. In comes Hall of Famer Chris McCarron, and the stage is set for the Pacific Classic.

The Pacific classic was not a winning effort for Tiznow as he finished 2nd to Skimming but in the race Chris McCarron learned a lot about how to ride the moody colt. Chris says that at the quarter pole he waved the stick at him in his right hand, and Tiznow pinned his ears and tucked in, telling the jockey that he didn’t much like it. In the stretch the jockey switched hands and tapped the colt on the left side and he gave him a little burst of acceleration. Not enough to win, but he did finish strongly.

It was decided that the colt was going to be pointed at another Grade 1 race, this time the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs, where he would face Commendable. Chris McCarron learned more about his mount in the month leading up to the race and decided that Tiznow was not a horse that liked being restrained, and was going to perform the best when given his head. In the Super Derby Derby, Tiznow broke alertly and went straight to the front. McCarron recalls that his ears were pricked and he was just going easily on the lead. In the far turn, Tiznow was pressed and Commendable had drawn even with him. No horse had ever won the Super Derby after leading for the first mile. McCarron chirped and crossed the reins on him and he ducked down and drove home to an easy win.

After the Super Derby the connections are thinking, why not take a shot at the Breeders Cup, but first it would be a rematch with Captain Steve in the Grade 2 Goodwood at Santa Anita. In a thrilling, head bobbing stretch drive, Tiznow showed that grit and determination that would define him. Captain Steve came hard at him in the stretch and Tiznow turned him away eventually winning by about 1/2 a length.

The owners, plopped down a $360,000 supplemental fee and entered Tiznow into the 2000 Breeders Cup Classic. This would be his 9th start since his first career race on April 22nd. At 3 years old, Tiznow is about to face one of the best fields in Thoroughbred racing history. Giant’s Causeway, Captain Steve, Fusaichi Pegasus, Albert the Great, Lemon Drop Kid, Cat Thief, Vision and Verse and Golden Missile were all on the card that day at Churchill Downs. The Derby winner, Belmont winner, 1999 Classic winner, and the ominous 6 time European Group 1 winner. Surely the heavily raced colt was in over his head and the grueling campaign would be too much to overcome.

I’ll let the race speak for itself, HERE.

Tiznow ends the 2000 season as Champion American 3yo Horse and American Horse of the Year.

After his win in the Breeders Cup Classic, a well deserved 3 month rest and then back to work on his 4 year old campaign. His 4 year old season was going smoothly with a win in the Grade 2 San Fernando, a 2nd in the Grade 2 Strub Stakes and then a big win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap. The reigning Horse of the Year was cruising along and looking to repeat as Horse of the Year. He was having hoof issues with quarter cracks but despite the problems won 2 of 3 races and the problems were manageable when potential disaster struck. After his win in the “Big Cap” he was pointed to the Pimlico Special. About 20 minutes into a cooling off period after a workout, Tiznow began walking short in the rear and it was apparent that he was binding up in his back.

It was touch and go as to whether Tiznow would run again or simply retire, but after a 6 month layoff, Tiznow returned to the track at Belmont Park, to race in the Grade 1 Woodward. In the Woodward, Tiznow broke well and head dead aim on the leader but just didn’t have that finish and acceleration he showed prior to his injury. Was he going to return to former glory or had the injury and long layoff taken too much out of him? Those questions needed to be answered, and Tiznow was due to ship back to California for the Goodwood, when 9/11 happened. Travel was delayed but Tiznow eventually returned home to Santa Anita and was a disappointing 3rd in the Goodwood. Trainer Jay Robbins would later note “he galloped out and looked almost bored.”

With more questions than answers Tiznow shipped to Belmont for the 2001 Breeder Cup Classic to defend his title and represent the United States in the first international sporting event post 9/11. Those questions would be amplified though at Belmont. The Wednesday leading into the race, Tiznow was scheduled to work 7f in preparation for the Classic. After 20 minutes of coaxing and attempting to get him interested, Tiznow balked repeatedly and refused to work. Nothing jockey Chris McCarron tried was convincing the colt to run, he tried the whip, tried slapping the reigns, even tried blinkers on, and the colt would just pin his ears and refuse to work. They only alternative was to try again the following day.

Thursday morning came, and a crowd of interested trainers also gathered to watch Tiznow’s antics and no doubt give trainer Robbins a hard time. Again Tiznow was being cranky and refusing to go, Jockey McCarron has his feet out of the stirrups when finally at about the 5f pole, Tiznow starts trotting. McCarron scrambles to get his feet in the stirrups and Tiznow starts galloping along. McCarron recalls that there is no way he is going to get Tiznow to pull up at the wire after 5F, since he doesn’t want to pull up after 1 1/4 so he decides to run rum 1/2 mile back around to the 1/2 mile and clock him with his own watch. A click of the watch and the half was run at 46 and change. “Oh no, we’ve gone too fast” recalls Chris McCarron when Tiznow pricks his ears and starts looking at the gap (way home). McCarron says oh no, we’re not going home yet and gets him to finish his work. Bob Baffert turns to Robbins and says “That’s the most incredible work I’ve ever seen.” The time, 1:35 for the mile.

Tiznow ships to Belmont with tempered expectations. Facing another incredible field of horses. Sakhee the Arc winner, Macho Uno, Albert the Great, European great Galileo, and the speedy Orientate.

Again, I will let the race speak for itself. HERE.

A true tested champion with legendary grit and determination.