In more ways than one, Michael Cooper and Pamela Ziebarth’s TIZDEJAVU (Tiznow)
lived up to his name in the $222,600
Jefferson Cup S. (G2) at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Reminiscent of his
victory in the Crown Royal American Turf (G3) on Kentucky Oaks Day, the Greg Fox
sophomore wired the field, only this time, he was never threatened en route to a
commanding four-length tally. Tizdejavu’s front-running tour de force capped a
brilliant week for his sire Tiznow, who was also responsible for Da’ Tara, the
wire-to-wire upsetter of last Saturday’s Belmont S. (G1).
Under a well-judged ride by Garrett Gomez, Tizdejavu comfortably established
splits of :24 2 /5, :48 and 1:12 1/5 before bidding his pursuers adieu on the far
turn. The bay colt opened up by seven lengths while clocking one mile in 1:36
1/5, and coasted home in a final time of 1:49 for 1 1/8 miles on the firm turf.
The 3-1 second choice in the wagering, Tizdejavu yielded $8, $4.20 and $3.20
while spearheading the $63 exacta, $194.60 trifecta and $752.40 superfecta
(4-5-6-1).
“There did not seem to be a lot of speed in there, looking at the race,”
Gomez said. “Julien (Leparoux aboard Wicked Style [Macho Uno]) and I broke about
two lengths ahead of the field, and then he took back. This colt has a nice,
huge stride, and he just went on from there.”
Golden Yank (Yankee Gentleman) rallied for runner-up honors, a half-length
ahead of 2-1 favorite Old Man Buck (Hold That Tiger). The 8-1 Golden Yank paid
$7.60 and $5, and Old Man Buck returned $3.20 for his even performance in third.
Halo Najib (Halo’s Image) crossed the wire in fourth, followed by Wicked Style, Budge Man (Fusaichi Pegasus), Go West Bert (Gone West) and Bobby
Blue Eyes (El Prado [Ire]).
Tizdejavu is now two-for-two on the turf, both in graded stakes, and he
sports an overall mark of 6-3-2-1, $271,187. He began his career on the
Polytrack at Turfway Park, where he broke his maiden by 4 3/4 lengths in
February.
The aptly named Tizdejavu was produced by the winning Remember When (Dixie
Brass), a full sister to Polished Brass, victor of the 1997 Sanford S. (G3).
This is the family of multiple Group 1 heroine Terre a Terre (Kaldouneeves
[Fr]). Tizdejavu has an unraced juvenile full brother named Gigaton.