NEWS
Tizdejavu spectacular in Firecracker, Mine That Bird fizzles
Posted: Sunday, July 04, 2010 8:01 PM
TIZDEJAVU
Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography
For video of the Firecracker Handicap, click here.
by Myra Lewyn
Tizdejavu provided the spark on closing day of the Churchill Downs’ spring meeting on Sunday as he led all the way to win $205,625 Firecracker Handicap (G2), while classic winner Mine That Bird fizzled in his first start of the season and turf debut.
A five-year-old Tiznow horse, Tizdejavu cruised across the finish line under Jesus Castanon, 1¼ lengths in front of fast-closing Public Speaker, a stakes-winning Distorted Humor colt, in a one-two finish by offspring of WinStar Farm stallions.
Sent off as the 4.10-to-1 second wagering choice, Tizdejavu led from the start and maintained a clear advantage throughout the one-mile turf race, finishing in 1:35.98, the fastest time of the meet at the distance. Chased from second by Grade 2 winner Inca King, he set fractions of :23.20 for the opening quarter, :45.94 through a half-mile, and 1:09.73 for six furlongs. Tizdejavu extended his lead to three lengths at the eighth pole and held on gamely as Public Speaker and Inca King battled for second in the 14-horse field.
“I made him run his own race,” Castanon said of Tizdejavu, who has won five of six starts on the turf at the Louisville track, including four stakes. “I knew there was going to be a lot of pace at the beginning. He was running the race pretty easily. When I asked him to pick it up he just drew away.”
Inca King finished a nose behind runner-up Public Speaker after his jockey, Victor Lebron, lost his whip in the final sixteenth.
After winning only once in five starts last year, Tizdejavu scored his third victory in as many starts this season, all in front-running fashion. He won an optional claiming race by three-quarters of length on May 9 at Arlington Park in his first start this season after a seven-month layoff, then captured the Opening Verse Stakes by a half-length on June 11 at Churchill.
“This race has been our goal, I mean hypothetically,” winning trainer Greg Fox said. “We ended his season last year on a down note, but the beautiful thing is this is a very, very special horse. Giving him a break and bringing him back steadily, you saw what he did today. He really threw the gauntlet down on a good group of horses.
“This was a key race for the [Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) on November 6 at Churchill]. We had a great post position. Some of the other speed horses seemed hurt by the big field. Jesus is an incredibly astute rider and took advantage of our post position and of course the horse did the rest.”
Michael Cooper’s and Pam Ziebarth’s homebred Tizdejavu improved to eight wins from 16 career starts and $693,153 in earnings. He is out of the winning Dixie Brass mare Remember When.
Making his first start for Racing Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Mine That Bird, the 2.80-to-1 favorite, trailed early and was never a factor in an eighth-place finish under Calvin Borel in his first start since finishing ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
“We will see a different horse after this; a totally different horse,” Borel said. “I’m telling you, get him on the dirt and you’ll see a different horse.”
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: Debbie, Pittsburgh, PA on July 10, 2010 at 12:20 PM
Mine That Bird is an excellent race horse. He has a lot of speed and a lot of heart. Last year he got run to the ground and personally I feel he could beat Rachel - he was one of the horses that came the closest to beating her last year in the Preakness - had Calvin been on him, he would have.
People need to give him credit for all that he did for racing last year. He, Summer Bird, Rachel and Zenyatta ran their hearts out last year and each time they go on the track they put their lives at stake - look at Barbaro.
Chip Whooley did a great job with Mine that Bird. He was selective about where he ran him and when.
Put him on dirt with Calvin in the saddle and let him run his race.
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Posted by: Jean, Hudson, IN on July 08, 2010 at 09:49 AM
Does any one else remember that Mine That Bird finished in the money every race until he had throat surgery last year?
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Posted by: Kent, Saint Paul, MN on July 07, 2010 at 08:12 AM
D Wayne mismanages a horse again. He'll probably put him in a gr I sprint next, then instruct the jock in his 3rd start back to place him on the lead. It gets tiresome.
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Posted by: Laura, Hayward, WI on July 06, 2010 at 12:40 PM
I am a Mine That Bird fan, and agree..work with the horse. He is best on dirt, with Calvin, coming from behind, period. Looking forward to watching him race more, he will shine again....
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Posted by: Jack, Baltimore, MD on July 06, 2010 at 11:53 AM
MTB hit his peak level during the Triple Crown Series in 2009. Against a fairly weak group of 3yr.old's, top to bottom. Or at least three of the top 3yr.old's of that crop didn't get to compete in the Triple Crown series. Being Quality Road, I Want Revenge, and The Pamplemousse. That said, I think MTB is pretty much done. But you know they're gonna keep racing him. Because he's gelded. I doubt MTB ever gets another Stakes victory in his career. Frankly, I think it's only because of the off track at the 09' Derby that he's even remembered. For MTB to get another win, they may have to drop him down to allowance level. Then, maybe? JMO.
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