Explosive Rally Propels Tiz the Bomb in John Battaglia Memorial

Tiz the Bomb produced his capable firepower in his second start of 2022 and on Turfway Park’s synthetic surface, taking command with a wide rally March 5 in the $125,000 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes and outlasting Stolen Base by a neck.

The two 3-year-olds were second and seventh, respectively, last fall in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar and ran 1-2 in the Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland.

The Battaglia, the final local stakes prep for the $600,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks April 2 at Turfway Park, provided points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby on a 10-4-2-1 scale. Grael ran third and Rich Strike fourth.

Tiz the Bomb completed 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta surface under Alex Achard in 1:44.12, paying $5.20 as the favorite.

Kenny McPeek trains the Spendthrift Farm-bred son of Hit it a Bomb. He ran for Magdalena Racing Saturday, which is leasing him from Phoenix Thoroughbred.

McPeek, acting as agent, purchased Tiz the Bomb for $330,000 out of the Eaton Sales’ consignment to the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Selected Yearlings Showcase.

A race after the Battaglia, Shortleaf Stable’s Bubble Rock ran down the previously unbeaten Marissa’s Lady to win the Cincinnati Trophy Stakes, a minor qualifier for the Longines Kentucky Oaks. The 3-year-old daughter of More Than Ready raced a mile in 1:37.19 under Marcelina Pedroza Jr. for trainer Brad Cox. She returned $12.40 to win.