The Tiznow Stakes has seen its fair share of changes over the years. Originally held in the summer at the now defunct Hollywood Park, the race was 7 ½ furlongs for many years before moved to its current distance of one mile. It was canceled for 2018, but is back again this year to be run Sunday, March 3, at Santa Anita. As per usual, the race will be for older California-breds.
Named for the mighty, two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and first run in 2003, the Tiznow has produced horses like Breeders’ Cup winner Amazombie and California-bred millionaire Greg’s Gold. While this year’s race has no names like that, it does feature multiple grade 1-placed #4 Edwards Going Left.
Edwards Going Left had a strong 2018 season, winning the Cal Cup Sprint after finishing second in the grade 1 Malibu as a three-year-old. He went on to not win the rest of the year but was never worse than fourth, running third in the grade 1 Triple Bend, fourth in the grade 1 Bing Crosby, and fourth in the grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship. He was second against allowance company last out; the race ended up quite tough and he missed by 1 ¼ lengths to favored Ax Man. Edwards Going Left, a John Sadler-trainee, has finished top three in nine of 12 Santa Anita tries.
#1 King Abner is unbeaten in two tries at the distance, and finished top three in 9 of 14 starts last season. He switches to the main track after two straight grass races, and is back in against stakes company for the second straight time after running his first 15 races at a lower level. The son of Hansen prefers the dirt and should make an impact here for trainer Phil D’Amato.
#2 Unusually Green, by Unusual Heat, is a hard-knocking type who also exists the Turf Classic like King Abner. The eight-year-old gelding has earned over $400,000, mostly the hard way, as this is only the fourth stakes race of his soon to be 55-race career.
#3 Surfing Star, by Surf Cat, has won three of five starts and makes his first start since November. He’s a logical contender in this spot, never finishing worse than secondon this course, and having won two straight allowance types at this distance for trainer Bruce Headley.
#5 Shades of Victory rounds out the field. The son of Midnight Lute also goes for John Sadler and has a strong record at Santa Anita. He is a multiple stakes winner sprinting, this will only be his second start stretching out to two-turns and he was third in his lone attempt.
The race goes as the fifth of nine.
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