Pedigree fun facts: Tiz the Law

Feb 04, 2020 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Tiz the Law has more than just human connections in common with 2003 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1) champion Funny Cide.

Trained by Barclay Tagg for Sackatoga Stable, Tiz the Law also has pedigree ties with his fellow New York-bred. Funny Cide is by Distorted Humor and out of a Seattle Slew-line mare, an early indicator of what turned out to be a productive cross. Tiz the Law’s sire, Constitution, is bred on the reverse of that cross – i.e., he’s by a Seattle Slew-line stallion (Tapit) out of a Distorted Humor mare.

Constitution, a leading Derby hopeful in 2014, unfortunately was sidelined after winning his first three starts including the Florida Derby (G1). While California Chrome went on to glory that year, Constitution never had the chance to achieve the Derby trophy that’s eluded his male-line ancestors since Seattle Slew’s Triple Crown sweep in 1977. Slew’s Hall of Fame son A.P. Indy was scratched the morning of the 1992 Derby; A.P. Indy’s son Pulpit sustained an injury when fourth to Silver Charm in 1997; and Pulpit’s son Tapit was ninth behind Smarty Jones in 2004.

Constitution’s dam, Baffled, started her career in England and notably placed third in Royal Ascot’s Albany (G3) as a juvenile. The Distorted Humor mare has produced two major winners since Constitution. Her daughter Jacaranda took the 2014 Tempted (G3), and son Boynton captured the 2016 Superlative (G2) during Newmarket’s July Festival. Baffled’s dam, Surf Club, was likewise responsible for three stakes winners including 2012 Forego (G1) hero Emcee.

Tiz the Law boasts high-profile relatives through the maternal half of his pedigree too. He is out of Tizfiz, a four-time stakes winner on turf whose signature score came in the 2009 San Gorgonio (G2). She also beat males during that 5-year-old season in the Edward DeBartolo at Remington. Tizfiz is a full sister to Fury Kapcori, the runner-up in the 2012 CashCall Futurity (G1) who missed the Triple Crown trail. Fury Kapcori developed into a classy campaigner as a 4-year-old, winning four straight capped by the Precisionist (G3).

Tizfiz and Fury Kapcori figured to excel with maturity because they are by Hall of Famer Tiznow, the only two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner. Since Tiznow descends from Seattle Slew on his dam’s side, Tiz the Law’s pedigree sports repetitions of Slew. Aside from the two appearing in the pedigree pictured, he receives another strand on Constitution’s side (via Ocean Crest, whose broodmare sire is Slew). Tiz the Law also has more Mr. Prospector than shows up here, and multiple crosses of Northern Dancer off the page.

Tiz the Law’s second dam, Gin Running, is by 1994 Kentucky Derby upsetter Go for Gin. Ironically, he’s a barnmate of Funny Cide in retirement at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Gin Running hails from the immediate family of speed-oriented Favorite Trick. A rarity to be crowned Horse of the Year as a juvenile, Favorite Trick swept all eight of his races, seven of them stakes, in 1997. In a skein unlikely to be repeated, his resume included the Bashford Manor (G3), Saratoga Special (G2), Hopeful (G1), Breeders’ Futurity (G2), and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Favorite Trick’s distance limitations came to the fore when eighth in the 1998 Kentucky Derby.

Tracing the maternal line much further back, Tiz the Law comes from the family labeled 9-e, a prominent tribe for more than a century and a half. One of its celebrated members is Fair Play, Man o’ War’s sire.