Tiz the Bomb rolls to Jeff Ruby Steaks S. (G3) victory

Tiz the Bomb made a decisive move with a half-mile to run en route to a stirring victory in Saturday’s $600,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks S. (G3), winning by 2 ¼-lengths over Tawny Port.

The 3-year-old Hit It a Bomb colt earned 100 points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) challenge series, securing himself in a spot in the Run for the Roses should his connections opt to try the Derby with the versatile colt.

“We’re not going to make a decision quickly,” said trainer Ken McPeek regarding the Derby after Saturday’s win. “We’ll have to figure out some details. I do think the further he goes, the better. Just a real special colt. We’ve got some options and they’re really great options. Right now, we’ll enjoy this and go from there.”

Tiz the Bomb, sent away the favorite in the field of 12, went through the first half-mile about three lengths off the :47.06 pace set by Dowagiac Chief. Soon after, jockey Brian Hernandez moved the colt up with a three-wide bid to be just a length off the lead with three furlongs to go. Tawny Port had a brief lead just before entering the stretch, then Tiz the Bomb took the lead for good and wrapped up at the end to finish the 1 1/8-miles in 1:48.60.

After racing primarily on the turf last year when he won the Bourbon S. (G2) and Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile S., as well as finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), Tiz the Bomb won this year’s John Battaglia Memorial S. at Turfway prior to Saturday’s victory. He is now 5-1-0 in eight starts and has earned $1,044,401 for McPeek’s Magdalena Racing Lessee.

Tiz the Bomb is Hit It a Bomb’s leading earner and was his most expensive yearling of 2020 when he sold to McPeek for $330,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling sale.

Pedigree notes from the TDN

Tiz the Bomb was bred by Spendthrift after the farm had purchased Tiz the Key for $330,000 as a 2012 Keeneland September yearling. She’s been bred exclusively to Spendthrift stallions, with 2-year-old filly Bel Rosso (Free Drop Billy), who sold for $180,000 at FTKOCT to Rocket Ship Racing, and a yearling colt by Mor Spirit in the pipeline. She delivered a Gormley filly Feb. 25.