Tiz Midnight strikes back, sets track record in Bayakoa

Karl Watson, Mike Pegram and Paul Weitman's Tiz Midnight was headed by 10-1

shot Warren's Veneda in midstretch of Saturday's Grade 2, $200,250

Bayakoa Stakes at Los Alamitos, but the 4-5 favorite fought back gamely to

notch her first stakes win. In the process, the daughter of former Bob Baffert

stars Midnight Lute and Tough Tiz's Sis established a new 1 1/16-mile track

record in 1:41.62.

Multiple Grade 1 heroine Tough Tiz's Sis, by the implacable Tiznow, was

runner-up in the 2007 Bayakoa held at its old Hollywood Park home. Tiz Midnight

was odds-on to earn the laurel that had eluded her dam.

Dropping in class and trip off a sixth in the October 31 Breeders' Cup

Distaff, Tiz Midnight was previously a gritty second to two-time Eclipse

champion Beholder in the 1 1/16-mile Zenyatta on September 27, and that formline

held up here.

Yahilwa, who had won twice since finishing fourth in the Zenyatta, ranked as

the 9-5 second choice and wasted no time in going to the lead. Under Victor

Espinoza, Tiz Midnight tracked in second through fractions of :23 1/5 and :47,

and drew alongside the leader at the six-furlong mark in 1:11 1/5. Grabbing a

slim advantage swinging for home, the favorite was soon beset by the rallying

Warren's Veneda, who looked on the verge of pulling an upset.