From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 21, 2022)–Could his incredible speed carry him a route of ground? That was the question facing Alfred Pais’ heavily favored homebred Brickyard Ride on Monday at Santa Anita as he stretched out to a flat mile in the $100,000 Tiznow Stakes. It took about a minute and a half, but the question was answered in resounding fashion, as the 5-year-old chestnut horse by Clubhouse Ride won geared down by 7 ½ lengths under regular rider Juan Hernandez, who would go on the register his third win of the day in the next race. Trained by Craig Lewis, Brickyard Ride stopped the clock at 1:37.77.
Sponsored by the CTBA, the Tiznow is part of the lucrative Golden State Series for eligible California-bred or sired runners.
“To me, he can go short or long,” said Hernandez. “Today, he was more aggressive than when he goes short. I think he handled the distance pretty good. I was by myself on the backside, but my horse was comfortable. I know when I would ask him, he would pick it up again.”
Fresh off an impressive gate to wire victory going six furlongs in the California Cup Sprint Jan. 15, Brickyard Ride, who was trying two turns on dirt for the first time in his 20th career start, outran Wilder Than Most to the first turn and from there, he was loose on a comfortable lead, opening up some eight lengths a furlong out as Hernandez geared him down for final approach.
Lewis said he chose the Tiznow Stakes over the San Carlos Stakes as a test to see if Brickyard Ride had route ability that would open the door for two-turn stakes later this year.
“The purpose of this was to give us options and he came through,” said Lewis, who added that wheeling Brickyard Ride back for the March 5 Grade II San Carlos Stakes was “not out of the question.” Brickyard Ride won the San Carlos last year.
In his second start following a 4 ½ month freshening, Brickyard Ride was off as the 3-5 favorite in a field of five and paid $3.20, $2.20 and $2.10.
Out of the Southern Image mare Brickyard Helen, Brickyard Ride registered his fifth stakes victory while improving his overall resume to 20-10-1-2. With the winner’s share of $60,000, he increased his earnings to $620,977.
“Well, he always struck me as a two-turn horse,” said Pais. “When we turned him out after Del Mar, I always had this race in mind. He’s got a high cruising speed and the good ones usually do. They do it their way. I’m not saying (he’s in their caliber), but horses like Life is Good and Knicks Go, when they go :46, it’s like another horse going :48.”
Last in the run to the first turn, Touchdown Brown ran by a tiring Wilder Than Most to finish second by 4 ¼ lengths. Off at 5-2 with Kyle Frey, Touchdown Brown paid $3.00 and $2.10.
Ridden by Flavien Prat, Wilder Than Most was off at 9-2 and paid $2.20 while finishing 6 ¼ lengths in front of Peaceful Transfer.
Fractions on the race were 22.88, 46.29 and 1:10.61.
Live racing resumes with first post time for an eight-race card on Friday at 12:30 p.m.