Tiz the Law works solo toward Classic

ELMONT, N.Y. – Tiz the Law continued his preparations for a start in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic by working five furlongs early Saturday morning in 1:01.87 over Belmont Park’s main track.

Going out just before sunrise, Tiz the Law, working by himself, went in splits of 13.00 seconds, 25.49, 37.30, and got his last quarter in 24.57 under exercise rider Heather Smullen. Tiz the Law galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.58 and seven furlongs in 1:29.37.

The work was in stark contrast to his breeze Oct. 2, when Tiz the Law went five furlongs in 57.81 after a horse he was supposed to work with broke off too far in front.

“I wanted a normal breeze,” trainer Barclay Tagg said of Saturday’s move. “He’s moving perfectly, didn’t it look like it? I think he’s moving beautifully.”

Tiz the Law has had a long year winning the Grade 3 Holy Bull in February, the Grade 1 Florida Derby in March, the Belmont Stakes in June, and the Runhappy Travers in August. He finished second to Authentic in the Kentucky Derby and came out of the race a bit stiff, and a little dull. In recent weeks, however, he has picked up the tempo in his morning gallops and has looked solid in his last two workouts.

“He’s back to being ‘Okay, let’s do this,’ ” Smullen said. “Let’s play around a little bit.”

Tiz the Law is expected to have at least one, possibly two more breezes at Belmont Park before shipping to Kentucky to get at least one breeze over the Keeneland main track.

“I want to work him down there at least once,” Tagg said.

Binkster lands in good spot

The last time New Yorkbred Binkster ran in an open first-level allowance race, he finished second to Yaupon, who not only beat him in that race but has gone on to win two more stakes and could go favored in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

There is no animal of such stature in Monday’s first-level allowance going six furlongs on the dirt. The $65,000 race serves as the feature on the nine-race Columbus Day card after the New York Racing Association postponed two turf stakes due to a forecast for rain. The Hill Prince will now be run Saturday, and the Knickerbocker on Sunday.

After losing to Yaupon, Binkster was third in the Tale of the Cat Stakes, finishing behind Stan the Man and My Boy Tate while dead-heating with T Loves a Fight for third.

“He’s in great form and has had a lightly raced year,” trainer Ray Handal said. “We gave him some time off after last year, and he’s come back this year really good. I expect a big run from him.”

If the forecast is accurate and it results in a sloppy track, Binkster has two wins over a wet surface.

“I don’t know if anybody really likes a wet track, but he’s done pretty well on it whereas others may not like it,” Handal said.

Binkster does possess early speed, and there does not appear to a be lot of other speed in the field.

“He’s fast, he’ll come out guns-a-blazing because that’s him,” Handal said.

Blindwillie McTell, who finished a half-length behind Binkster when the two ran behind Yaupon at Saratoga, is back in this field. He is a stakes winner over a wet track and also is a stakes winner at Belmont.

Cost Basis, who returns from a layoff for trainer Chad Brown, Chowda, Morning Breez, Clench, and Brush Country complete the field.

Malathaat likely for Tempted

Malathaat, a 2-year-old daughter of Grade 1 winners Curlin and Dreaming of Julia, made a smart-looking debut Friday at Belmont Park, winning a seven-furlong race by 1 1/4 lengths over highly regarded Caramel Swirl.

After pressing a modest opening quarter, Malathaat took a short lead in the middle of the far turn. Confronted and briefly passed by Caramel Swirl, Malathaat battled back along the inside and outfinished Caramel Swirl. Malathaat covered the seven furlongs in 1:23.37 and earned a 77 Beyer Speed Figure.

“She trained very well and ran to her training and looks like one that will appreciate more distance,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “She fought back and came to the wire with her ears pricked.”

Malathaat, who gave jockey John Velazquez his 2,000th career win at Belmont Park, was a $1.05 million yearling purchase by Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Stable. Pletcher trained the mare, Dreaming of Julia, who was a Grade 1-winning 2-year-old, taking the Frizette at Belmont.

Pletcher said Malathaat could be pointed to the $100,000 Tempted Stakes , a one-mile stakes, on Nov. 6 at Aqueduct and then possibly the Grade 2, $150,000 Demoiselle at 1 1/8 miles on Dec. 5 at Aqueduct.

“Two turns is ultimately what she’s looking for,” Pletcher said.