It Tiz Scores at Hollywood

In her first start of 2010, It Tiz was successful in her introduction to turf, winning a $49,800 optional claimer on Friday night at Hollywood Park.

Idle since finishing a distant fourth behind Blind Luck in the Hollywood Starlet, a Grade 1, last Dec. 20, It Tiz was more than ready after the layoff for owners Allen and Susan Branch and trainer Mark Glatt.

One of two 3-year-olds in the field – along with I’mneverwrong, who finished last of seven -, It Tiz, a daughter of Tiznow and the Woodman mare Star Of The Woods prevailed by a half-length over Lily Fa Pootz.

Ridden by David Flores, It Tiz, who was purchased for $170,000 at the Keeneland September sale in 2008, won for the third time in seven starts. The $29,400 prize boosted her earnings to $156,315.

It Tiz was positioned just outside pacesetter and 10-1 shot Zilla shortly after the start, remained close to that one down the backside, then took over inside the eighth pole and went on to win. She ran the mile in 1:34.88.

Fourth in two other Grade 1’s – the Del Mar Debutante and Oak Leaf at Santa Anita - as a 2-year-old, It Tiz, the 6-1 fourth choice,  returned $15.80, $7.60 and $5.20.

Lily Fa Pootz, the 4-1 second choice, paid $5.60 and $4.20 in her seventh consecutive good effort since being claimed for $16,000 by trainer Jerry Hollendorfer last Dec. 10 at Golden Gate Fields.

Since the purchase, Lily Fa Pootz, a 5-year-old Gilded Time mare out of the Fit To Fight mare Dark Rhythm has not been worse than third, winning twice.

The show price on Zilla, who finished a half-length behind Lily Fa Pootz, was $5.60. Welken, the 11-10 favorite, finished fourth, a nose behind Zilla.

Welken was one of five beaten favorites in the Pick Six, which began with a carryover of $150,594. The only public choice in the sequence to come through was third race winner Fantando ($2.80).

There were 10 perfect tickets each worth $65,911.80. In addition to the carryover, $915,968 was wagered into the Pick Six.

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