Tiz the Law a huge favorite in Derby
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Forget them int juleps in souvenir glasses, men in seersucker suits and women wearing hats exploding in a floral frenzy. The Kentucky Derby still has horses — Tiz the Law is the biggest favorite in 31 years — but just about everything else makes the 146th edition unlike any other.
“It's going to be weird,” said five-time Derbywinning trainer Bob Baffert.
None of the cheering — or cursing after losing wagers — from 150,000 fans will be heard this year at Churchill Downs, where America's longest continuously held sports event will go on Saturday, four months later than usual. The track initially planned to allow 23,000 fans to attend until escalating positivity rates for COVID-19 in Louisville dictated otherwise.
“Quietude can't hurt,” said Barclay Tagg, trainer of 3-5 favorite Tiz the Law. “We've had quiet for almost all his races this year.”
Of course, silence changes the very nature of the Derby, known for a mix of the raucous and refined, the freakish and fashionable.
Gone will be the parade of celebrities on the red carpet, t he who's who of sports, politics and entertainment crowding Millionaires Row, the national anthem sung by a big name.
The University of Louisville marching band won't strike up “My Old Kentucky Home” while the crowd sings along as the horses step onto the track, and the traditional call of “Riders up!” won't be shouted by a boldfaced name standing in the paddock.
Tiz the Law has already won the Belmont Stakes, the kickoff to the Triple Crown that was run in June at a shorter distance. A victory in the Derby would set him up for a Triple try in the Preakness on Oct. 3.
Also in his favor is that he's already proved he can handle the Derby distance of 1 1/4 miles, often the biggest question for any 3-year-old colt. Tiz the Law won the Travers by 5 1/2 lengths over the same distance at Saratoga a month ago.
“He's checked all those boxes, and I believe he very well could win the Triple Crown this year,” said Jerry Bailey, the retired Hall of Fame jockey and NBC Sports analyst.
Tiz the Law has won six of seven career starts — his only loss came at Churchill Downs last year — by staying close to the pace and making one big run at the top of the stretch.
“I' d like for us to be laying third all the way around until we get down for business,” Tagg said. “You think he's gotten in trouble here, in trouble there and next thing you know he's in front. He's a pretty amazing horse."
Mark Casse, trainer of Enforceable, isn't ready to hand Tiz the Law the roses.
“He still has to have a clean trip,” he said.
The field has been reduced to 16 horses, smallest since 2003 when Funny Cide won. e Fierce were scratched.
A win by Tiz the Law would make Tag gt he oldest trainer to win a Derby at age 82.
Saturday' s forecast calls for partly sunny skies and a high of 82 degrees to go with humidity — quite a contrast to the cool and rainy weather when the race is usually run in late spring.
Post time is 6:01 p.m.
Long shot wins Kentucky Oaks
Long shot She dares the devil won the Kentucky Oaks in record time, overtaking favorite Gamine at the top of the stretch and holding off Swiss Skydiver for a 1 1/2length victory Friday in the 146th Kentucky Oaks for fillies at Churchill Downs.
She dares the devil was fresh off a Grade 3 stakes win in Indiana among consecutive victories but covered 11/8 miles in 1:48.28 to break Bird Town's record of 1:48.64 set in 2003. The bay filly contended from the start from the No .7 post, staying within reach of the heavily favored Gamine before coming on near the final turn and gaining the lead entering the stretch.