NEWS
Tiago stamps ticket to Classic with Goodwood win
Posted: Saturday, September 29, 2007 9:05 PM
TIAGO (inside) EDGES AWESOME GEM
Benoit & Associates photo
by Mike Curry
Tiago narrowly held off determined runner-up Awesome Gem to win the $500,000 Goodwood Handicap (G1) by a nose and punch his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1) on October 27 at Monmouth Park.
The Goodwood winner earned an automatic berth in the Classic in the new Breeders’ Cup Challenge ‘Win and You’re In’ series.
Wanna Runner sprinted clear from the far outside post in the eight-horse field and set the pace through an opening quarter in :22.79 and a half-mile in :46.35 in the 1 1/8-mile race on the all-weather Cushion Track surface at Santa Anita Park. Trained by John Shirreffs for owners-breeders Jerry and Ann Moss, Tiago was rated in fourth by jockey Mike Smith behind A. P. Xcellent and Lewis Michael.
Lewis Michael collared fading Wanna Runner on the turn and drove clear, but Tiago and Awesome Gem powered forward to join the charge. Tiago surged past Lewis Michael and was joined by Awesome Gem for a thrilling duel through the final sixteenth.
Tiago was fully extended under Smith to nip Awesome Gem, completing 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.93.
“You ain't seen him get good yet!” Smith said. “Wait ‘till he gets good!
“He had to win ‘dirty’ today. We had to push our way out going to the three-eighths pole. He just had to make his own room, because I didn’t want Awesome Gem to get the jump on us. It slowed him down, but I just felt that we had to move at that time. Wow, he ran great.”
Awesome Gem was one length clear of third-place finisher Big Booster, while Lewis Michael faded to fourth. Morning-line favorite Lava Man was scratched and instead will start Oak Tree Breeders' Cup Mile Stakes (G2) on October 7.
A half brother to 2005 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Giacomo, Tiago won the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 7 and followed with a seventh-place finish in this year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands. The Premium Tap colt subsequently finished third in the Belmont Stakes (G1) before winning the Swaps Breeders’ Cup Stakes (G2) on July 14 at Hollywood Park.
Kentucky-bred Tiago improved to four wins in eight starts and boosted his earning to $1,115,270 with the $300,000 winner’s share. He is out of the multiple stakes-winning Stop the Music mare Set Them Free.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times daily news editor
