Tiz a Slam, last year’s Grade 2 Nijinsky Stakes winner, heads into Sunday’s 1 ½-mile turf test at Woodbine on a two-race win streak for owner/breeder Chiefswood Stable.
Trained by Hall of Famer Roger Attfield, Tiz a Slam, a five-year-old son of Tiznow, seeks his third consecutive stakes score and second straight Nijinsky crown.
Last year, the Ontario-bred pulled off the upset, wiring the field, and returning $22.70 for the win.
The bay has delivered his connections a pair of Grade 3 titles in his past two starts, winning the Louisville Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 18 and the Singspiel Stakes at Woodbine on June 22.
Tiz a Slam led every step of the way in capturing the 82nd running of the $100,000 Louisville, prevailing by three-quarters of a length in a time of 2:27.41 in the 1 ½-mile turf marathon.
“He’s been running well all year, hasn’t he?” offered Attfield. “He’s seems to be keeping up his form in his training and he looks awfully good. I’m very happy with the horse right now.”
The veteran conditioner has every reason to be pleased.
In 25 starts, Tiz a Slam has posted eight wins, three seconds and a third. Highlights include victories in the Grade 3 Ontario Derby in 2017 and last year’s edition of the Grade 3 Dominion Day.
He started off his 2019 campaign with a sixth in the Grade 3 Fair Grounds Handicap and followed that up with a fourth in the Grade 2 Dixiana Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland on April 20.
On Sunday, Tiz a Slam will square off against seven rivals in the Nijinsky.
“He’s been having his own way in his races lately,” said Attfield, who also won the 2012 Louisville (then known as the Louisville Handicap) with Simmard, holder of the stakes record of 2:27.16. “He’s a horse that actually doesn’t have to be on the lead, but that’s the way it’s been working out, and he’s quite happy with that. He’s doing very well.”
Attfield, who won the 2015 Nijinsky with Are You Kidding Me, is pleased to see one of his stable stars continue to get better with age.
“He’s just matured. I think I matured a few years ago, but probably not mentally.”
The $100,000 King Corrie Stakes, set for six furlongs on the main track, is also on tap Sunday. Wyatt’s Town ($3.30 to win) took last year’s running.
The Nijinsky is scheduled as the eighth race on Sunday’s 1:05 p.m., 12-race program. The King Corrie is slated as race three.
$175,000 NIJINSKY STAKES
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Pumpkin Rumble – Eurico Rosa Da Silva – Kevin Attard
2 – Arthur Kitt – Rafael Hernandez – Thomas Dascombe
3 – Sir Sahib – Luis Contreras – Kevin Attard
4 – Souper Tapit – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse
5 – Bourbon Resolution – Chris Landeros – Ian Wilkes
6 – Tiz a Slam – Steven Bahen – Roger Attfield
7 – Dark Templar – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Kelsey Danner
8 – Avie’s Mesa – Davy Moran – Josie Carroll
$100,000 KING CORRIE STAKES
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Olympic Runner – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse
2 – Big Drink of Water – Jose Valdivia Jr. – Larry Rivelli
3 – Souper Success – Jesse Campbell – Michael De Paulo
4 – Hurricane Highway – Jose Valdivia Jr. – Larry Rivelli
5 – Trappeze Artist – Sheena Ryan – Robert Tiller
6 – Corduroy Road – Sheena Ryan – Robert Tiller
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