Tiz the Law pulls away to win Belmont
Tiz the Law has won an unprecedented Belmont Stakes, claiming victory Saturday at the first race of a rejiggered Triple Crown schedule in front of eerily empty grandstands.
The 3-year-old colt from upstate New York charged to the lead turning for home and now can set his sights on the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby and Oct. 3 Preakness. All three legs of this year’s Triple Crown schedule were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Belmont, usually the series capper, was initially scheduled for June 6.
Tiz the Law, above, gave New York a hometown champion in its first major sporting event since the pandemic began. He’s the first New York-bred horse to win the Belmont since Forrester in 1882.
“It’s a lot smaller crowd, that’s for sure,” said owner Jack Knowlton, who watched from a restaurant patio in the familiar surroundings of Saratoga Springs.
The 4-5 favorite won by four lengths, covering the 1 1⁄8 miles in 1:46.53. Dr Post finished second and Max Player was third.
The race was shortened from the usual
1 1⁄2-mile standard to account for competitors’ unusual training schedules. Horses kicked off from a starting gate placed atop the backstretch, rather than in front of the grandstands.
Silence at the 115-year-old venue was broken when New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued the traditional “riders, up!” call remotely via video. Bugler Sam Grossman pulled down his facemask to tap out “Call to the Post,” and horses strolled onto the track to a recording of Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.” A PA announcer introduced them to empty grandstands.
Tap It to Win led out of the gates and seemed poised to give trainer Mark Casse a third straight Triple Crown race victory.
Instead, Tiz the Law powered past him on the outside and won by four lengths.
It was also a breakthrough win for 82-year-old trainer Barclay Tagg, who completed a career Triple Crown after also training Funny Cide.
“I’m just glad I lived long enough that I got another horse like this,” Tagg said.
Tiz the Law paid $3.50, $2.90 and $2.60. Dr Post, owned by famed trainer Todd Pletcher, paid $5.80 and $4.20. Max Player, trained by Linda Price, paid $5.20.