Tiz Shea D triumphs as Mr. Z’s antics cost him Indiana Derby

Tiz Shea D took full advantage of Mr. Z’s hijinks in Saturday evening’s $508,000 Indiana Derby (G2) to post a 1 1/4-length score over that rival.

Mr. Z set the pace in the 1 1/16-mile contest under jockey Joe Bravo, who flew in to ride the colt after piloting Sheer Drama to victory in the Delaware H. (G1) just a few hours earlier.

The pair was going good up front, but jockey Jose Lezcano and Tiz Shea D stayed in close attendance just off Mr. Z’s flank. Entering the turn, the chestnut still had the lead but suddenly threw his head and jinked to the right.

Bravo steadied his mount but the damage had already been done. Mr. Z lost his momentum and it took a few strides for the D. Wayne Lukas pupil to regain the rhythm.

That was just enough for Tiz Shea D and 7-5 favorite Divining Rod (Tapit) to range up on the outside. Tiz Shea D stuck his head in front and continued digging deep to eventually finish 1 1/4 lengths in front as the 4-1 third choice. He stopped the teletimer in 1:43.02 over the sloppy, sealed Indiana Grand track.

Mr. Z managed to hold second by a head over Divining Rod, but his rank behavior more than likely cost him a second straight stakes win following his wire job in the Ohio Derby on June 20.

Divining Rod was a neck behind Mr. Z in the Ohio Derby and was looking to turn the tables this time around, but just could not get past his foe.

Tiz Shea D earned his second win in this spot, and his first since being transferred to trainer Bill Mott. The bay sophomore began his career with Jason Servis, for whom he took his maiden debut, before switching to Mott and running second in the Gotham S. (G3), fifth in the Wood Memorial S. (G1), fourth in the Peter Pan S. (G2) and second in a Belmont allowance.