Tiztastic rallies for Louisiana Derby upset

The Steve Asmussen stable's prospects for the Kentucky Derby (G1) took a serious hit last month after Magnitude was sidelined immediately following a dynamic victory in the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds. They were revived to an extent on Saturday when Tiztastic confirmed his participation in the Churchill Downs classic with a 2 1/4-length win in the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2).

Tiztastic was the most experienced member of the Louisiana Derby field with seven previous starts. However, with just two prior wins, both on grass, and a string of minor awards in four previous Kentucky Derby preps, he was also arguably the most exposed.

In the end, though, the experience proved beneficial. With only one rival behind him after a half-mile, Tiztastic made steady advancement through the field while skimming the rail, and then was tipped out for a four-wide bid by jockey Joel Rosario.

Tiztastic continued his momentum down the stretch, grinding his way to take lead from a fading Built, and drove home to win over Risen Star runner-up Chunk of Gold. Instant Replay, a distant trailer for much of the journey, rallied for third, while 9-5 favorite and pacesetter John Hancock faded to fourth.

The order of finish was rounded out by Built, Vassimo, Hypnus, Caldera, Furio, and Yinzer.

Owned in partnership by Coolmore and Ron Winchell, Tiztastic covered 1 3/16 miles over a fast track in 1:56.20 and paid $17.

Tiztastic earned 100 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby and now has a total of 119. Chunk of Gold increased his total from 25 to 75, while Instant Replay earned 25 points and is unlikely to make the Kentucky Derby lineup. John Hancock is also out of the Derby picture with a total of 35 points. Built now has 45 points, but connections might search for easier options after two significant losses in the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby.

The Louisiana Derby was Tiztastic's first win on dirt. After finishing fifth to subsequent multiple Grade 1 winner Chancer McPatrick in his debut over Saratoga's main track, Tiztastic reverted to grass, and in quick succession broke his maiden and won the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile in the span of 10 days.

Tiztastic finished up his two-year-old season with a second to Sovereignty in the Street Sense (G3) and a third in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2). His next two starts came at Oaklawn, where he finished third in the Southwest (G3) and fifth in the Rebel (G2).

"We thought he'd run bigger in the Southwest. Since he didn't run his race and he had trained so well here, we brought him back here, knowing he needed more distance," Asmussen said. "He's stepping forward when he needs to. The horse has got a great mind about him. He ran a solid race but I think there's more in him."

This was a record-tying fifth win in the Louisiana Derby for Asmussen. His previous two winners, Gun Runner and Epicenter, both fell short in the Kentucky Derby, a race Asmussen has yet to win, but eventually won Eclipse Awards later in their respective careers.

Tiztastic, a son of Belmont (G1) winner and beaten 2020 Kentucky Derby favorite Tiz the Law, was bred in Kentucky by Capital Bloodstock and sold for $335,000 at Keeneland September. He was produced by the Tapit mare Keesha, who is also the dam of stakes winner Interpolate.