Tiz Shea D Strong in the Indiana Derby
The 21st running of the $500,000 added (G2) Indiana Derby will go down as one of the most exciting races in the history of the event, as Tiz Shea D gave a strong performance in taking the Indiana Derby by 1 1/4 lengths over Ohio Derby winner Mr. Z and Divining Rod.
In the past, the Indiana Derby has struggled with bad weather. For the first time in the event’s history the 2015 addition would be held in July, instead of October. Well, Mother Nature not to be out-done had other plans for the race as the track was deluged with rain on Friday night. This summer has been the wettest in the history of Indiana. Saturday started optimistic with blue skies and sunshine but just as it looked as if we would be rain free the skies opened up about 10 minutes before the second race. Strong rain blasted the track for about 15 minutes leaving an already sloppy surface with even more moisture. Luckily, the rain subsided for the rest of the night but it did affect the way the track played.
The Indiana Grand surface was very speed favoring through out the day leading up to the Indiana Derby with almost every winner coming from right on or close to the pace. This would not change as the field of eight classy three-year-old colts and geldings entered the starting gate.
The electric crowd of Hoosier race fans screamed as the horses broke from the gate. To no one’s surprise the D. Wayne Lukas charge, 7/2 second choice Mr. Z, broke quickly and assumed the early lead under jockey Joe Bravo who was looking for the Delaware Handicap – Indiana Derby double. Bravo guided Mr.Z through a pedestrian first quarter in 24.21, glued to his outside was the Bill Mott trainee and 4/1 third choice, Tiz Shea D. Tiz Shea D stalked Mr.Z through a half in 48.31, Divining Rod the 7/5 betting favorite sat comfortably in fourth under jockey Alex Cintron.
As they reached the top of the stretch Lezcano and Tiz Shea D threw the gauntlet down on Mr. Z making a strong move to the lead in the stretch. Mr. Z faught on gamely as Divining Rod made a strong inside move but the battle would just be for the place as Tiz Shea D and Lezcano cruised to a comfortable 1 ¼ win while Mr.Z fought tooth and nail to out-nod Divining Rod at the wire for second. The son of Tiznow finished the mile and one sixteenth in a time of 1:43.02.
Jockey Jose Lezcano said, “He (Tiz Shea D) has been working very good. He broke good and got right in the position I wanted to be in. We let the one (Mr. Z) go and sat right behind him. At the top of the stretch, Mr. Z came out and we went a little wider, but he recovered very quickly and fought hard in the stretch.”
This is only the second win of Tiz Shea D’s career and his first graded stakes win. Hall of Famer Bill Mott has to be ecstatic with the improvement this horse has shown off of his last few races. Maybe with a strong performance in one of the fall Derbies, or even a graded stakes win against older horses, Tiz Shea D could become a player in the Breeders’ Cup Classic picture.