Expert Pick of the Week: Holy Bull Stakes

Jan 31, 2020 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Seven sophomores will seek points on the “2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby” in Saturday’s $250,000 Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park. The 1 1/16-miles feature is led by 2019 Champagne (G1) romper Tiz the Law, and he is the Expert Pick of the Week.

Tiz the Law began his career at Saratoga Race Course on August 8 and drew off to a convincing maiden tally going 6 ½ furlongs. Following a brief layoff, the New York-bred colt went postward as the 7-5 second choice in the Champagne at Belmont Park. He tracked the pace as he did in his debut offering, and then powered home once again to win by four widening lengths.

Trained by Barclay Tagg, the son of Constitution went off as a heavy favorite in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs in his two-year-old finale but struggled some late in a third-place finish. Tiz the Law has since posted five strong morning moves in the Sunshine State in preparation of his three-year-old bow.

The $110,000 yearling purchase has landed in a very good spot to commence what could be a fine 2020 spring season. The bay drew a fine post position, and he figures to sit a perfect trip just off of the expected solid early tempo. If the colt runs to his bullet half-mile breeze most recently, his foes will have a tall task in holding off the fine prospect in the stretch under Manny Franco.

I also have interest in two other contenders in the Holy Bull for the exotics. Toledo is a horse trending in the right direction for Chad Brown, and he will challenge for Kentucky Derby points with his best showing. The Juddmonte homebred is well perched on the rail, and the son of Into Mischief had a great local prep when a strong allowance second most recently.

Ken McPeek’s Mayberry Deputy graduated in style on the course in his most recent showing and will be a top-three threat with slight improvement on Saturday. Chestnut son of Majesticperfection has the positional speed to stay in range early, as well as the turn of foot to pass runners in the lane. The colt figures to be a solid price beneath Julien Leparoux.

A trifecta key with Tiz the Law over Toledo and Mayberry Deputy is the Best Bet of the Week