By Elaine Belval
The U.S. racing community may be awaiting the return of 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace, but the older female division is not. Ellafitz’ victory in the February 18 G2 Santa Maria S. was her win third in a row — and second in 2012 — for owners David and Ella Sivage; breeders Mineola Farm II LLC, David R. Houchin and James W. Hirschmann; and trainer Bob Baffert. She hopes to add another win to her streak in the G1 Santa Margarita S. on March 17.
Ellafitz is the 34th unrestricted SW by Tiznow, a high-class runner who was on the board in 14 of 15 starts, with eight victories, including two in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Tiznow and his dam Cee’s Song, who had four SWs by Cee’s Tizzy, personally put the California sire Cee’s Tizzy on the map. Cee’s Tizzy was a modest winner (but G1-placed) son of the very good In Reality stallion Relaunch, who sired several G1-winning sons, including Skywalker and Honour and Glory. So, it is a bit surprising that Relaunch’s sireline should continue through Cee’s Tizzy instead of his more accomplished runners.
Tiznow retired in 2002 for a $30,000 fee, which is a reflection of his modest pedigree rather than his three Eclipse titles, including Horse of the Year and champion older male. His stud fee proved an astute marketing tool, and Tiznow had almost 90 named foals in his first crop, led by his first champion, Folklore, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Folklore turned out to be a bit of an aberration. Tiznow is best known for his older horses, including G1 winners Well Armed, Colonel John, Tizway and Morning Line. Tiznow has sired 73% starters, 43% winners (not including 2012 2YOs), a modest 12% 2YO winners, and a solid 6% SWs. His progeny average over $79,000 in earnings. In 2011, Tiznow had over $5-million in progeny earnings, with ten SWs (five of them GSWs). While Tiznow has only a handful of turf SWs, he has had a great deal of success with runners on artificial surfaces (including Canadian Champion Bear Now and Colonel John and Informed in California).
Surprisingly enough, despite having trained ten individual Eclipse Award winners, Baffert has not trained a champion older female nor has he won the Breedes’ Cup Ladies’ Classic. Perhaps, all Baffert needs to earn those awards is a touch of Tiznow.
Tiznow stands as a Taylor Made/WinStar Venture at Winstar Farm in Kentucky, where his 2012 fee is $75,000.