Unbeaten TIZ WONDERFUL (Tiznow), a smashing 6 3/4-length winner of the
Iroquois S. (G3), is the top draw in Saturday’s $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club S.
(G2), one of two graded stakes for juveniles on Churchill Downs’ closing-day
program. Its fillies counterpart, the $200,000 Golden Rod S. (G2), features
two-time stakes princess CHANGE UP (Distorted Humor), who exits a two-length
victory under the Twin Spires in the Pocahontas S. (G3).
Tiz Wonderful opened his racing career with a 12 1/2-length triumph over
maiden special weight foes at Saratoga in early September. Following a near
two-month absence, the Scott Blasi-trained colt returned to easily capture
the Iroquois at Churchill. A $475,000 two-year-old purchase, Tiz Wonderful will
get a new rider in John Velazquez as he faces eight rivals in Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile
test.
Iroquois runner-up WHAT A TALE (Tale of the Cat) and third-placer STARBASE
(Tale of the Cat) will both attempt to turn the tables on the likely favorite
Saturday, and Kentucky Cup Juvenile S. (G3) winner U D GHETTO (Honour and Glory)
is also in the mix. The Tony Reinstedler pupil will attempt to rebound off a
seventh-place effort in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). ANY GIVEN SATURDAY
(Distorted Humor), who improved to two for two in his career with a three-length
allowance score at Keeneland last out, will make his stakes debut in the
Kentucky Jockey Club for Todd Pletcher.
Recent Remington Park stakes winner GOING BALLISTIC (Lite the Fuse) will lead
the post parade under Clifton Berry. Next comes Starbase, Calvin Borel; Tiz
Wonderful; MR BLACKSTONE (Sir Cat), Eddie Castro; U D Ghetto, Jesus Castanon;
DOMINICAN (El Corredor), Robby Albarado; What a Tale, Julien Leparoux; Any Given
Saturday, Rafael Bejarano; and JOE GOT EVEN (Stephen Got Even), Shaun Bridgmohan.
All starters will carry 122 pounds.
The Steve Flint-trained Change Up broke her maiden by six lengths at
Churchill in June and captured the Mountaineer Juvenile Fillies S. over eventual
Spinaway S. (G1) winner Appealing Zophie (Successful Appeal) next out. Change Up
didn’t run well over a sloppy track in the Arlington-Washington Breeders’ Cup
Lassie S. (G3), but she bounced back with a strong showing to win the Pocahontas
going away. Velazquez will pick up the mount aboard the likely favorite in the 1
1/16-mile Golden Rod.
COHIBA MISS (Cat Thief), who was excluded from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
Fillies (G1), will make her first appearance since recording a 3 1/4-length
triumph in the Kentucky Cup Juvenile Fillies. Pocahontas third LADY JOANNE
(Orientate) is also in the field, and Grade 3 runner-up PRO PINK (Touch Gold),
fourth in the Pocahontas, merits consideration.
The complete cast, in post order, is HIGH HEELS (E Dubai), Joe Johnson;
STELLAS NEW GROOVE (Victory Gallop), Larry Melancon; Lady Joanne, John McKee;
WELLOFAPRIZE (Pure Prize), Miguel Mena; Change Up; Pro Pink, Albarado; TIME’S
MISTRESS (Mr. Greeley), Brice Blanc; LITTLEBITABLING (Carson City), Bridgmohan;
Cohiba Miss, Willie Martinez; and LADY CORREDOR (El Corredor), Leparoux.
All runners will tote 119 pounds.