Shades of Funny Cide: Tiz the Law dominates the Champagne

Let the Funny Cide comparisons begin.

Tiz the Law, a New York-bred campaigned by Sackatoga Stable and trained by Barclay Tagg — the same team behind the 2003 Kentucky Derby winner — scored decisively Saturday to put himself on the map via the Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne Stakes.

And that’s with room seemingly to grow.

The son of Constitution bobbled at the break and rushed up on the heels of his rivals early. He was ready to go when asked by jockey Manny Franco, breezing past favored Green Light Go and Gozilla in the Belmont Park stretch.

"I was just waiting for the moment," Franco said. "I didn't want to move too early because I knew I had a lot of horse under me. I was trying to wait as long as I could. He lugged in a bit, he's still a little green. I had a lot of horse at the end. He's a nice horse."

In addition to a “Win and You’re In” spot in the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park, Tiz the Law earned points toward qualifying for the 2020 Kentucky Derby.

"It's a long way to Louisville," said Sackatoga's operating manager, Jack Knowlton, "but 10 points today is a good start."

Knowlton said, however, it's unlikely Tiz the Law proceeds to the Breeders' Cup, saying "there are too many issues doing that."

He reminded that Funny Cide bypassed his own opportunity to run in the Breeders' Cup at age 2.

"We declined, and it paid off down the road," Knowlton added.

Tagg has handled the $110,000 purchase patiently since he posted nice speed figures on debut, winning by an easy 4 1/4 lengths Aug. 8 at Saratoga. Some shin issues kept him from trying the Hopeful (G1) at the end of that meet, and then it was on to the Champagne.

Tiz the Law finished up the one-turn mile in a final time of 1:35.41 and four lengths in front.

Aqueduct's Remsen Stakes (G2) -- another points-paying Derby prep -- could be next.

The quarter mile went in 22.57 seconds as Tiz the Law was shuffled back to fifth. Franco guided his 7-5 shot between horses through the turn, then tipped out to run down the top two in the stretch.

Behind him, Green Light Go ran second, Big City Bob got up for third and Gozilla held on for fourth.