Tizway savours victory at Metropolitan Handicap
William L. Clifton’s colt, Tizway, finished third in his first two starts of the season. But his season’s first win came when he won the Metropolitan Handicap (aka Met Mile). This win could qualify as his career defining victory.
The Grade 1 race was held on May 30, 2011. The race offers a purse of $ 500,000. His first two starts have him first racing in Gulfstream Park Handicap (Grade 2), in which he stood third. The race took place on March 12, 2011. He then took part in the Grade
3 Charles Town Classic on April 16, 2011.
In the Metropolitan Handicap, Tizway was behind pacesetter, Tackleberry, for nearly six furlongs. After that they both were seen duelling for the lead as they made the final turn. The duel resulted in Tackleberry relenting and Tizway managing to surpass
him.
Tackleberry was ridden by Javier Santiago
In the final furlong Tizway was able to maintain a steady four length lead. The field had other contenders, such as, Haynesfield, racing in third, and, Caixa Eletronica, was in fourth position.
Stormy's Majesty was racing at fifth position. As the race progressed Caixa Electronica moved to the second position. Soon Rodman was seen rallying for second position in the final sixteenth of a mile. Tizway still managed to have a 2 ¾ length win over Rodman,
who finished second, 5 1/2 lengths ahead of the third place finisher, Caixa Electronica.
Tizway gave a final time of 1 minute and 32.90 seconds. This time was short of the records set by Honour and Glory in 1996, his record was 1 minute and 32.81 seconds.
Tizway was ridden by Rajiv Maragh over the fast dirt track in the "Met Mile". He was a 3-1 favourite to win the race.
Maragh commented on his performance by saying “It was a great trip, I had a good post and my horse broke well. He was always running for me, I really didn’t have to do much, just get him going at the right time and he held off pretty fine. He was really
ready”.
The race was held in Belmont Park. Belmont Park is the same place where Tizway savoured his biggest win in the Grade 2 Kelso Handicap, which took place on October 3, 2010.
This was not the first time Tizway was racing in the Metropolitan Handicap. He participated last year as well and he was placed third.
Tizway is sired by Tiznow. His dam was Bethany. Bethany is a half sister to the winner of the 1996 Grade 1 Travers Stakes, Will’s Way.
Tizway was bred by Whisper Hill Farm. H. James Bond trains the six year old brown colt. His sale price was $140,000 and he has earnings of about $909,274.
This win by Tizway paid $8.20, $5.00 and $3.90 and it also made him eligible for the Grade 1 Breeder’s Cup Dirt Mile, which is to be held in November. It is expected that Tizway would shine in the Grade 1 Whitney Handicap as well, which is the next race
he is to take part in.
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