Flashback: Tiznow battles to win the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Classic

Horse racing and gambling are inextricably intertwined, and bettors aren’t the only ones putting their money on the line. Every time a stud fee is paid, every time the gavel falls at an auction, every time a horse is entered to race, someone is gambling that their horse will be faster than the others.

Certainly Michael Cooper and Cecilia Straub-Rubens took a gamble when they entered Tiznow in the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs, supplementing their colt at a cost of $360,000. The California-bred 3-year-old was far from the most acclaimed horse in the field; bettors instead favored Kentucky Derby champion Fusaichi Pegasus, leading older male Lemon Drop Kid, and European turf star Giant’s Causeway.

Not only was the competition fierce, Tiznow’s racing schedule was ambitious. His form was improving, with victories in the Super Derby (G1) and Goodwood Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G2) to his credit. But the Breeders’ Cup Classic would mark his third race in five weeks, a grinding schedule comparable to the Triple Crown. Considering Tiznow hadn’t even debuted until April 2000 — the result of fracturing his left front tibia as a 2-year-old — he’d clearly made remarkable progress in a short amount of time.

But even trainer Jay Robbins was concerned about Tiznow’s busy schedule. The Los Angeles Times of Nov. 3, 2000, notes how “Robbins feared that [three races in five weeks] might be too much racing for his colt.” While Tiznow ultimately bounced out of his Goodwood effort in fine fettle, it was fair to wonder whether the colt could bring his A game to Churchill Downs while stepping up in class — and running for the ninth time in 6 1/2 months, and breaking from post 12 in a field of 13 — all while seeking to become the first horse bred in California to win a Breeders’ Cup race.

To reiterate, entering Tiznow in the Classic was a gamble. A $360,000 gamble.

But sometimes, those big gambles pay off.

When the starting gates opened on Nov. 4, 2000, Tiznow hesitated for a moment, then accelerated quickly under regular rider Chris McCarron. Any concern for a wide trip evaporated as Tiznow forged to the front, settling in the two path while vying for the lead with Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) winner Albert the Great through controlled splits of :23.52, :47.55, and 1:12.01. Lurking behind them in third place was Giant’s Causeway, racing in the clear and poised to strike.

The positions remained relatively unchanged until the top of the stretch, when Albert the Great came under pressure and Tiznow — his massive frame in full stride — stuck his neck in front. As the cheers of 71,181 racing fans built in volume, Tiznow braced for a fresh challenge from Giant’s Causeway, who advanced strongly on the outside.

With a furlong remaining — just 220 yards — Giant’s Causeway had all the momentum and seemed destined for victory. The Irish sophomore drew within a half-length of the lead … then a neck … then a head. “I was always confident I was going to be right there, thought I was going to win going to the furlong marker,” jockey Michael Kinane told the Louisville, Ku., Courier-Journal.

But Tiznow wasn’t finished. Displaying an unwavering tenacity that soon would become his trademark, Tiznow dug deep and found another gear. He accepted the challenge from his formidable rival, then slowly stemmed the charge. Giant’s Causeway was game to the finish, pulling 3 1/4 lengths clear of the rest, but Tiznow’s tenacity was unbeatable. As the two gallant runners flashed across the finish line, Tiznow was in front by a neck, and McCarron pumped his fist in celebration.

“Knowing the kind of fight in him, his determination to get to the wire, I wasn’t panicking,” McCarron told the New York Daily News. “There were moments when I thought he (Giant’s Causeway) may run by, but I have so much confidence in Tiznow. He ranks up there with the best I’ve ridden.”

Tiznow’s heart-pounding victory earned $2,480,400, and there was still plenty more to come from the gritty California-bred. Voted Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male for 2000, Tiznow returned the following year to nab another hard-fought victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, becoming the first (and so far only) horse to win the race twice. Retiring with earnings of $6,427,830, Tiznow was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009 and enjoyed a productive stud career, counting Breeders’ Cup winners Folklore and Tourist among his most successful foals.

It’s safe to say the $360,000 gamble paid off.

Keeler Johnson is a writer, videographer, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast. A great fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager to be the greatest racehorse ever produced in America, but counts Zenyatta as his all-time favorite. You can follow him on Twitter at @J_Keelerman.