Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Tiz the Law

The folks behind Sackatoga Stable of Funny Cide fame are back on the Road to the Kentucky Derby with Tiz the Law. Like Funny Cide, who scored a popular upset victory in the 2003 Kentucky Derby (G1), Tiz the Law is a New York-bred trained by Barclay Tagg.

But unlike Funny Cide, Tiz the Law is the Derby favorite after posting an impressive series of Grade 1 wins. He's already one-upped his popular predecessor by conquering the 1 1/8-mile Belmont Stakes (G1), held in 2020 as the first jewel of a Triple Crown reconfigured due to COVID-19.

Tiz the Law's first stakes win likewise came at Belmont Park, a decisive four-length score in the 2019 Champagne (G1). After sustaining his only loss, a tough-trip third in the 2019 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs, Tiz the Law has been brilliant. He's undefeated and unchallenged in four starts this season, sandwiching runaway wins in the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull (G3), 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby (G1), and 1 1/4-mile Travers (G1) around his Belmont Stakes triumph.

Unlike many Kentucky Derby contenders, Tiz the Law is already proven over the testing distance of the Kentucky Derby. His affinity for 1 1/4 miles isn't surprising given the quality of his pedigree. Don't let the New York-bred designation fool you—Tiz the Law brings strong Kentucky bloodlines to the scene.

Tiz the Law hails from the first crop of foals sired by Constitution, so while it remains to be seen whether Constitution will consistently pass on stamina to his foals, early results are promising. In addition to Tiz the Law, Constitution is the sire of Gouverneur Morris, runner-up in the 1 1/16-mile Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and third in Division 1 of the Arkansas Derby (G1); Laura's Light, winner of the 1 1/8-mile Honeymoon (G3) on turf; and Independence Hall, a record-shattering winner of the 1-mile Nashua (G3).

Constitution himself was a two-time Grade 1 winner running 1 1/8 miles, scoring victories in the 2014 Florida Derby and 2015 Donn Handicap (G1) at Gulfstream Park. Constitution’s stamina is likely inherited from his sire, Tapit, a three-time leading general sire in North America who counts Tonalist, Creator, and Tapwrit (all victorious in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont) among his top progeny.

Tiz the Law’s dam, Tizfiz, also showed stamina during her racing days, most notably winning the 1 1/8-mile San Gorgonio Handicap (G2) on grass at Santa Anita. As a daughter of two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Tiznow out of a mare by 1994 Kentucky Derby winner Go for Gin, Tizfiz was always cut out to be classy route runner. Her full brother, Fury Kapcori, won the 2014 Precisionist (G3) going 1 1/16 miles and also ran second in the 2012 CashCall Futurity (G1) over the same distance.

As a broodmare, Tizfiz’s other foals include Awestruck, a daughter of Tapit who has been campaigned largely as a sprinter. But Awestruck is also stakes-placed running 1 1/16 miles.

Getting back to Tiznow, broodmare sire of Tiz the Law, he has consistently passed his abundant stamina on to his descendants. Tiznow’s progeny have almost exclusively excelled running a mile or farther, with Belmont Stakes winner Da’ Tara, 1 1/4-mile Travers (G1) winner Colonel John, and 1 1/4-mile Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Well Armed among the most successful. He also had a one-time 2020 Kentucky Derby hopeful in Dennis’ Moment (read his pedigree profile here).

Tiznow has also been passing on stamina through his daughters. As a broodmare sire, he has been represented by It Tiz Well, Noble Bird, Personal Diary, and American Patriot (all Grade 1 winners running a mile or farther) plus Went the Day Well, winner of the 1 1/8-mile Spiral Stakes (G3) and fourth in the 2012 Kentucky Derby.

With the stamina of Tiznow backing up Constitution’s own promise as a sire of quality route runners, Tiz the Law has the pedigree to thrive over classic distances, as his victories in the Belmont Stakes and Travers so clearly demonstrate.