Tiz a Billy waltzes to impressive win down the hillside turf course

With Chantal Sutherland at the controls, Tiz a Billy vied for the early lead, wrested control a half mile from home and waltzed to an impressive 1 ½ length win in Friday’s $58,000 Santa Anita feature. Trained by Brian Koriner, Tiz a Billy motored 6 ½ furlongs down the hillside turf course in 1:12.30.

The 5-2 second choice in a field of five 3-year-olds and up, Tiz a Billy paid $7.00, $3.40 and $2.10.

“He’s really fast,” said Sutherland, who’s now guided the 4-year-old Tizway gelding to a pair of wins and three seconds in his last five starts. “He’s one of the hardest horses I’ve ever worked. He’s very intense, there’s no halfway with him. Brian’s done a great job channeling his energy.”

Owned by James Cahill, Neil Haymes and Janet Lyons, Tiz a Billy has developed into a hillside specialist, as all three of his wins have come over the course in five starts. With an overall mark of 13-3-6-0, he picked up $34,800 for the win, increasing his earnings to $177,690.

A close fourth early behind the winner and both Bombard and Mr. Opportunist, Blameitonthelaw shot through at the rail a furlong out, engaged the winner but was second best, finishing 2 ¼ lengths in front of Bombard.

Ridden by Joe Talamo, Blameitonthelaw was off at 7-2 and paid $3.20 and $2.20.

Favored at even money with Flavien Prat, Bombard finished 2 ¼ lengths in front of Grazen Sky and paid $2.10 to show.

Fractions on the race were 21.74, 43.85 and 1:06.36.