Tiz the Bomb bursts through in Bourbon; Breeders’ Cup is next

He drew wide. He busted through the gate before the race and had to be reloaded. His rider Brian Hernandez Jr. had to manage all that drama, not to mention all the traffic ahead of him Sunday in a 14-horse field.

With all that, Tiz the Bomb (5-2) still met the expectations of bettors who made him the favorite to win the Grade 2, $200,000 Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland.

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Tiz the Bomb took a wide path down the middle of a turf course rated good and passed rivals one by one on the way to a triumph that qualified him for the Nov. 5 running of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

It was the second day in a row that Kenny McPeek trained a 2-year-old colt to victory in a “win and you’re in” race, although he said Breeders’ Futurity (G2) winner Rattle N Roll might skip the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile to stay in his Kentucky comfort zone.

The situation is different, however, for his Hit It a Bomb filly who is owned by Phoenix Thoroughbreds III and has won three races in a row.

“I think this horse is definitely good for the Breeders’ Cup,” McPeek told TVG after the race. “The Juvenile (Fillies) mile is just ideal.”

RELATED: Why Rattle N Roll might skip Breeders’ Cup

Stolen Base (7-1) finished second followed in order by Credibility (45-1), Red Danger (3-1) and Dowagiac Chief (42-1).

Tiz the Bomb was clocked at 1:43.69 for Sunday’s 1 1/16 miles on a grass course that was rated good. He chased early fractions of 22.94, 47.54, 1:12.86 and 1:37.61 after his overeager start.

“He got a little anxious and charged forward one step, and the gate popped open,” Hernandez said. “He left the gate in good order the second time around.”

“It’s not a good omen typically,” McPeek said. “Brian did a great job wrangling him up and keeping him under control.”