Michael
Cooper and Pamela Ziebarth’s Tizdejavu
led every step of the way under Jesus Castanon to win the $62,235
Opening Verse by a half-length before a Downs After Dark crowd of 25,102 Friday
night at Churchill Downs.
Trained
by Greg Fox, Tizdejavu covered the 1 1/16 miles on a firm Matt Winn Turf
Course in 1:42.35 in winning for the fourth time in five starts on the grass at
Churchill Downs.
Tizdejavu,
a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Tiznow, established a clear lead early with Public
Speaker in closest pursuit through fractions of :24.67, :47.83 and 1:11.33.
At the top of the stretch, Tizdejavu maintained a daylight advantage and had
enough left to hold off final surge from Public Speaker and jockey Robby
Albarado.
Winner
of the American Turf (GIII) and the Jefferson Cup (GII) as a 3-year-old here in
2008, Tizdejavu improved his overall record to 15-7-3-2 and increased his
bankroll to $577,137 with Friday’s check of $37,800.
Favored
in the field of six, Tizdejavu returned $6.60, $3.60 and $3. Public Speaker
returned $4.40 and $2.80 with Flying Private finishing 7 ¼ lengths back
in third under Corey Lanerie and paying $3.80 to show. Completing the
field in order were Yate’s Black Cat, Prom Shoes and Furthest Land.
Racing
resumes Saturday on Kentucky Derby Alumni Day with an 11-race program beginning
at 12:45 p.m. (all times EDT) that includes a five-day Pick 6 carryover of
$57,564 on races six through 11.
Reigning
Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra will face four rivals in the 36th running
of the $200,000-added Fleur de Lis Handicap (GII) with an approximate post time
of 3:26 p.m. as the day’s sixth race. Highlighting the card will be the 29th running
of the $600,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) scheduled for 5:29 p.m. that
drew a field of 11.