Lone Rock, Tizmagician Lock Horns in 1 5/8-Mile TAA

The 6-year-old Lone Rock  made two starts for trainer Robertino Diodoro at Saratoga Race Course final summer season earlier than the conditioner misplaced him in a $40,000 claiming race to the Invoice Mott secure. Regardless of that quick period of time underneath Diodoro’s care, the gelding made an impression on the coach, who did not hesitate to drop one other slip in for Lone Rock when the son of Majestic Warrior  lined up for $40,000 in his next start at Churchill Downs.

The gelding hasn’t run for a tag since. Owned by Flying P. Secure and R.A. Hill Secure, Lone Rock has strung collectively 5 wins from seven begins since re-joining the Diodoro shedrow, with two of these victories being in stakes firm. A route specialist, Lone Rock notched the largest win of his profession when annihilating the sector by 11 1/2 lengths within the 1 1/2 mile Brooklyn Stakes Introduced by Northwell Well being (G2) on Belmont Stakes Day. The distant runner-up that June afternoon was the Richard Mandella educated Tizamagician , another top stayer who will be out to turn the tables on Lone Rock in the $250,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes (G2) on the Breeders’ Cup undercard Nov. 6.

Formerly known as the Breeders’ Cup Marathon, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes is one of the few 1 5/8 miles stakes events in the country. With the retirement of the race’s two-time winner Rocketry  earlier in the year, the race’s title appears to boil down to a match-up between Lone Rock and Tizamagician.

Lone Rock added a romp in the Aug. 5 Birdstone Stakes and a game second-place effort in the Sept. 18 Grand Prix American Jockey Club Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park after his Brooklyn tour de pressure. The slender 6-5 morning-line favourite within the subject of 9, Lone Rock will carry the highest weight of 126 kilos and be ridden by his regular companion, jockey Ramon Vasquez.

Lone Rock’s conquerer within the Grand Prix American Jockey Membership, Locally Owned , is also owned by Flying P Stables. The 5-year-old Distorted Humor   gelding was claimed by trainer Thomas Morley at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots back in February. He joins the field as the third 6-1 choice in the TAA Stakes on the heels of his upset victory.

Tizamagician, a placing charcoal-colored Tiznow  colt, stamped himself as one of the early top contenders for the TAA Stakes when cruising to a nine-length triumph in the April 18 Tokyo City Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park. After his defeat to Lone Rock, the 4-year-old captured the July 18 Cougar II Stakes (G3) over the Del Mar oval adopted by a strong second to Longines Breeders’ Cup Traditional (G1) starter Tripoli  in the TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1). Cut back to 1 1/8 miles in the Oct. 2 Awesome Again Stakes (G1), the faster pace of the shorter trip took the finishing punch away from Tizmagician, and he could only manage fifth behind Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) victor Medina Spirit  at Santa Anita.

Trainer Peter Miller enters a pair in the TAA with Cupid’s Claws , the 2020 Tokyo City Stakes (G3) winner and recent Fresno stakes winner Zestful . Recent winners Hapi Hapi  and Mad Grace  complete the field.