Slew’s Tiz Whiz and Jose Zunino power home to victory

SLEW’S TIZ WHIZ SHARP IN MUCKLESHOOT TRIBAL CLASSIC

Sunday’s closing day stakes triple-header also showcased Slew’s Tiz Whiz capping another sensational season with a come from behind three-length victory over Gold Crusher in the $50,000 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic for 3-year-olds and up.

Ridden by Jose Zunino for trainer Tom Wenzel and owner Slew’s Crew Racing. Slew’s Tiz Whiz covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.90, returning $2.10 to win, $2.10 to place, and $2.10 to show. In fact, the bay gelding accounted for $62,134 of a $78,414 win pool and $94,590 of $141,927 in the show pool.

The defending Washington Horse of the Year and Emerald Downs Horse of the Meeting, Slew’s Tiz Whiz bided his time in fifth place as Its Kraken Time and Gold Crusher battled through splits of :23.60, :47.33, and 1:11.36. The winner commenced his rally around the turn, circling up and overtaking Gold Crusher past mid-stretch and drawing clear for the victory.

A 5-year-old Washington-bred gelding by Slew’s Tiznow out of Ros’s Girl, Slew’s Tiz Whiz earned $27,500 to boost his career total to $268,357. His overall record including four stakes wins is 8-3-3 from 19 starts including a triumph in the 2022 Longacres Mile.

Although he didn’t win the Mile this year, finishing third to Five Star General, Slew’s Tiz Whiz nevertheless finished the 2023 campaign with a sparkling 2-1-1 mark from four starts including a victory in the Governor’s Stakes and a second in the Budweiser Stakes.

Gold Crusher, the distant second choice at 7 to 1, held second by 3 ½ lengths, while Its Kraken Time finished third. Rounding out the order of finish were Naval Escort, Sherm, Time ’er Too, and Mangia Pane. Company’s Dream was a late scratch.

Blazingbellablu edges Anthonys Cleopatra

BLAZINGBELLABLU CAPTURES A WASHINGTON CUP THRILLER

In the $50,000 Washington Cup Filly & Mare Stakes Presented by Pegasus Training & Rehabilitation Purse, Blazingbellablu would not be denied and scored a hard-fought neck victory over California invader Anthonys Cleopatra.

In defending her Washington Cup Filly & Mare Stakes title, Blazingbellablu covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.60 and paid $4.40 as a strong second choice in the wagering. Regular rider Alex Cruz was aboard the winner for trainer Charles Essex and owners/breeders Essex and Petra Lewin.

A 5-year-old Washington-bred by Grazen out of Bellomesa, Blazingbellablu has been a stalwart locally, compiling a 6-4-0 record from 10 starts with four stakes wins and earnings of $172,758. Her overall record is 8-7-3 from 22 starts with earnings of $293,061.

Blazingbellablu was left with plenty to do Sunday, settling over 10 lengths off the leaders as Anthonys Cleopatra and Zippin Sevenz dueled through taxing fractions of :23.27, :46.21, and 1:10.36. Anthonys Cleopatra won the pace battle, spurting four lengths clear past mid-stretch, but lost the war, as Blazingbellablu ground away for the victory.

Anthonys Cleopatra, the even-money favorite ridden by Frank Alvarado, finished second by a whopping 13 ¼ lengths and earned $10,000 for owner/breeder Cacchiotti Ranch. A 4-year-old Washington-bred by Constitution out of Luxor Lady, Anthonys Cleopatra had raced exclusively in California prior to Sunday and has an overall mark of 4-4-1 in 14 starts with earnings of $143,880.

Emerald Sea, ridden by Rocco Bowen, finished third, while Zippin Sevenz, She Said My Way, Young Life Laura, and Brilliant Bird completed the full order of finish.

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