Tiz the Law rises on Derby leaderboard after sparkling Holy Bull win

Feb 03, 2020 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

The two most notable risers on the Road to Kentucky Derby leaderboard after a three-prep weekend were Tiz the Law and Thousand Words, whose respective wins in the Holy Bull (G3) and Robert B. Lewis (G3) elevated them into the top three among domestic hopefuls.

Tiz the Law's sparkling three-length win in the Holy Bull was good enough to earn him a 108 Brisnet speed rating, a higher figure than most Derby winners have earned in the big race itself in recent years. He should be well supported in this week's second pool of the 2020 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

Thousand Words remained undefeated from three starts with a grinding win in the Lewis for multiple Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert, though his Brisnet speed rating dropped to 92 from the 95 he earned winning the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) in December.

Also advancing in the top 18 of the leaderboard were Max Player, who earned his initial 10 points taking the Withers (G3), while Shotski tacked on an additional four points by running second in the Withers following an earlier score in the Remsen (G2).

Juvenile champion and current leaderboard head Storm the Court is expected to make his 2020 debut in Sunday's San Vicente (G2) at Santa Anita over 7 furlongs. The race itself doesn't offer any Derby points, but will serve as a tune-up for longer events later in the spring.

Storm the Court is assured of remaining at the top for at least another couple weeks as the only other point-scoring prep between now and mid-February is Saturday's Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. A relatively new inclusion in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, the 1 1/16-mile will have as its heavy favorite Independence Hall, who would only increase his total to 20 points if successful.

There will be a new horse at the top of the Derby leaderboard on the afternoon of Feb. 15 when the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds will award 50 qualifying points to the winner.

(Lauren King/Coglianese Photography)