Tiz a Slam back on turf in Nijinsky

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Following his win in the July 1 Grade 3 Dominion Day Stakes on Tapeta here, Tiz a Slam returns to the turf for Sunday’s Grade 2, $175,000 Nijinsky Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward over 1 1/2 miles at Woodbine.

While Tiz a Slam has won two of his last three starts on synthetic, he is winless in his last five starts on the grass, three of which came during a winter campaign. Tiz a Slam did win three of his first four starts on turf as a 2-year-old, including a win in the Cup and Saucer Stakes.

Trainer Roger Attfield said he believes Tiz a Slam can carry his strong synthetic form over to the turf.

“He’s gone well enough on the turf in the past and he’s training really well right now,” Attfield said. “His works and his stride length have been the same on the turf as on the synthetic. I have no reason not to run him.”

Attfield has also entered Final Copy in the Nijinsky. Final Copy comes into the race off of a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Singspiel Stakes on June 23 here, which was also over 1 1/2 miles on turf. Final Copy set a pressured pace in the Singspiel, but gave way in the late going to finish third.

“He ran a good race,” Attfield said. “He had a horse take him on and soften him up a little bit there, too. He’s coming into the race well also.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Tiz a Slam, by Tiznow Last 3 Beyers: 97-82-93

◗ He finished eighth in his only other trip over 1 1/2 miles on turf in the Grade 2 Pan American Stakes at Gulfstream Park on March 31. He earned a 93 Beyer in that start.

◗ He set a modest pace in his gate-to-wire score in the Dominion Day, but will likely be off of the pace in the Nijinsky.

Vettori Kin, by Vettori Last 3 Beyers: 99-93-86

◗ He ships up to Woodbine for trainer Kenny McPeek following a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park on June 30.

◗ He’s recorded two wins from three starts going 1 1/2 miles on turf. He won a Group 1 in his native Brazil in 2016, and was also victorious in the Grade 3 Louisville Handicap at Churchill Downs on May 19.

Mekhtaal, by Sea The Stars Beyers: 88-95-NA

◗ A Group 1 winner in France in 2017, Mekhtaal will make his seasonal debut in the Nijinsky. He is trained by Graham Motion.

◗ The Nijinsky will mark his third start in North America. He ran in two Grade 1 stakes last season, finishing 10th in both the Arlington Million and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes at Belmont Park.

Final Copy, by Malibu Moon Last 3 Beyers: 88-90-64

◗ He’ll start from the rail and should find himself on the lead in the Nijinsky.

◗ He’s hit the board in all six of his starts on the Woodbine turf course, four of which have been wins.