Rene Douglas was aboard the winner to notch his second graded stakes victory of the afternoon after taking the Grade III Modesty Handicap a half an hour earlier.
With no pressure, Tizdejavu was able to cruise through soft fractions of 25.39 seconds, 51.93 seconds, 1:16.83 and 1:40.80.
“He got a nice, comfortable, relaxed lead,” said Fox. “That’s something he really enjoys. Rene rated him perfectly, so there was plenty (in the tank) for the whole race. I was surprised (he got away with such soft fractions). I watched the earlier turf races and the pace was a lot stronger in both of them. Rene was going to make whatever adjustments were necessary.”
“I hate to go to the lead on this track, but sometimes you don’t have a choice,” added Douglas. “The wet turf today helped me a lot, seems like this horse handled everything. He worked hard and it worked out good.”
Longshot Sr. Henry got up for the place, 2 ¼ lengths clear of Ablaze With Spirit. Boss Lafitte, Great War Eagle and Prime Realestate completed the order of finish.
Tizdejavu, the 7-10 favorite, returned $3.40, $2.80 and $2.40. Sr. Henry paid $18.60 and $6.60. Ablaze With Spirit returned $4.20.
QUOTES FOR THE GRADE II AMERICAN DERBY
Rene Douglas (rode the winner, Tizdejavu): “I hate to go to the lead on this track, but sometimes you don’t have a choice. The wet turf today helped me a lot, seems like this horse handled everything. He worked hard and it worked out good.”
Greg Fox (trainer of the winner, Tizdejavu): “He got a nice, comfortable, relaxed lead. That’s something he really enjoys. Rene (jockey Douglas) rated him perfectly, so there was plenty (in the tank) for the whole race. I was surprised (he got away with such soft fractions). I watched the earlier turf races and the pace was a lot stronger in both of them. Rene was going to make whatever adjustments were necessary.”
Eusebio Razo Jr. (rode second-place finisher, Sr. Henry): “He ran big. He has run some rough races lately. Mike told me to lay off the speed, but the horse in front never backed up. He ran a big race and we had no excuses. The horse that won was just the better horse today.”
Shaun Bridgmohan (rider of Ablaze With Spirit, 3rd): “The winner ran an incredible race, my horse tried for me the whole way. I was third best.”
Jose Valdivia Jr. (rider of Great War Eagle, beaten foreign invader, 6th): “There was no pace whatsoever, but I’m not sure that made a difference for me. My horse just wasn’t getting his air. He was already making noises before the real running started, and then he couldn’t give my anything when I asked him.”