Fashionably Fast back to defend Tiznow Stakes title

Fashionably Fast, a durable and consistent son of Lucky Pulpit, returns next Sunday to seek his second straight victory in the $100,000 Tiznow Stakes at one mile.

Part of the lucrative Golden State Series for California-bred or sired horses, the Tiznow is for 4-year-olds and up.

Bred by John Harris and owned by Harris, Per Antonsen and John Nicoletti, Fashionably Fast returned to the races on Jan. 16 after an absence of more than five months, running third in the California Cup Sprint under regular rider Tiago Pereira, who has ridden the chestnut gelding in18 of his 19 career races, winning seven. Fashionably Fast has earned $508,245.

“He’s doing well,” trainer Dean Pederson said. “He’s had a couple good works the last couple of weeks and we’ll give him a little breeze Monday, but a horse like him, you just put the bridle on him and walk him over.

“Around the barn he’s a pet. He’s quiet and easy to train. He’s had some paddock issues in the past, but it wasn’t too bad when he ran last time, so maybe it’s just a case of him getting a little older and a little smarter.

“Earning a half-million dollars, he doesn’t owe anybody anything. You always want to do well with him, but the pressure’s not as strong as it might be with another horse, because you’re confident he’s going to try his best, and that’s all you can ask. He’s a survivor, and that’s 90 percent of the game, I guess.”

Pederson, who turns 59 on March 6, got his trainer’s license in 1985 at Turf Paradise before moving to the Bay Area in 1993.

“That period for me was kind of like spring training,” he said. “I got all the BS out of my system, so ’93 was when I really started. There’ve been ups and downs, but I love the game and I love the people.”