Tiztastic Gets the Timing Right in Louisiana Derby

The stretch-running Tiztastic devoured the extra distance of the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2), capturing the longest of the domestic Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races by 2 1/4 lengths at March 22 Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

“This horse is getting better at the right time,” beamed Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen after taking his fifth Louisiana Derby title, tying Todd Pletcher for the most wins in Fair Ground’s marquee race of the season.

Asmussen couldn’t have summed it up better.

Tiztastic’s timely winning performance fills in the void left by his stablemate, Magnitude , who was knocked off the Derby trail last month with an ankle chip exiting an explosive gate-to-wire victory in the Risen Star Stakes (G2). Magnitude is owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, the co-owner of Tiztastic with Coolmore partners Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.

The 100 points earned in the Louisiana Derby win also cements Tiztastic’s spot in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May, taking his point total to 119. With only six weeks remaining until May 3 classic at Churchill Downs, Tiztastic currently heads the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

Sold for only $2,500 as a yearling, the Cinderella story of Chunk of Gold continued on in the Louisiana Derby. The gutsy gray or roan ran back to his runner-up finish in the Risen Star, outbattling Instant Replay by a half-length for second at 10-1 odds. Trained by 32-year-old Ethan West, Chunk of Gold is also guaranteed a trip to Louisville, Ky., collecting 50 points in the Louisiana Derby. The Preservationist colt sits in third on the leaderboard with 75 total points.

A son of rising second-crop sire and classic winner Tiz the Law and out of the Tapit mare Keesha, the 1 3/16 miles of the Louisiana Derby proved just the recipe for success for Tiztastic. The long-striding colt, a two-time winner on the turf, had turned in respectable efforts on the dirt but appeared grass-bound if couldn’t punch his ticket to the Run for the Roses. Twice graded stakes-placed at Churchill Downs as a 2-year-old, Tiztastic launched his sophomore campaign at Oaklawn Park, finishing a good third on a speed-biased track in the Southwest Stakes (G3) before running a flat fifth in the Feb. 23 Rebel Stakes (G2).

Tiztastic wins the 2025 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds — Photo: Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

Tiztastic and Joel Rosario are led into the Louisiana Derby winner’s circle

“We thought he’d run bigger in the Southwest,” Asmussen said. “Since he didn’t run his race and he had trained so well here, we brought him back here, knowing he needed more distance. He’s stepping forward when he needs to. The horse has got a great mind about him. He ran a solid race but I think there’s more in him.”

Ridden for the first time by Joel Rosario Saturday, Tiztastic took up his customary position near the back of the pack as Sam F. Davis Stakes winner John Hancock and fellow Asmussen trainee Yinzer pushed a punishing early pace of :22.99 and :46.84. Rosario and Tiztastic began passing horses effortlessly along the rail as the field headed into the far turn and, once angled four wide into the clear at the top of the lane, the colt inhaled the extra real estate of the long Fair Grounds stretch.

The early fractions took their toll on John Hancock, who succumbed to the rush of the late closers finished fourth as the 9-5 post-time favorite.

“He did everything right. He handled a little bit of traffic at the three-eighths pole,” Rosario said of Tiztastic. “The pace was fast in front and I had the horse underneath me to get it done.”

Tiztastic ($17) rolled on by and won comfortably in a time of 1:56.20.