Tough Tiz’s Sis dominates G1 Ruffian by 12 ¼

The Bob Baffert-trained Tough Tiz’s Sis entered the $300,000 Ruffian Handicap (G1) on September 6th at Belmont Park with a rock-solid resume that included being a Grade 1 winner and one of the top distaffers on the West coast. But after a dominant 12 ¼-length romp in the prestigious race for fillies and mares, Tough Tiz’s Sis stamped herself as one of the leading fillies in North America with her biggest win to date.

With Edgar Prado up, Tough Tiz’s Sis relished a sloppy Belmont main track that had sustained heavy rains due to Tropical Storm Hanna tracking up the eastern coastline. The 4-year-old Tiznow filly comfortably tracked pacesetter Right Moment while in the clear, and skipped to the lead turning for home. The performance she would display in the stretch run would prove to be one of the best seen this season by a filly or mare, as Tough Tiz’s Sis streaked well clear of the field to hit the wire all alone by more than a dozen lengths. The final time for the powerhouse effort was a crisp 1:40.46, less than a second off the track record for 1 1/16 miles.

“She has been training very well, and all I told Edgar was to be sure to keep this filly’s face clean,” Baffert said. “She doesn’t like dirt in her face. Last year at the Breeders’ Cup (in the slop at Monmouth Park), she got caught in behind horses and had dirt in her face and it was a complete disaster.”

Tough Tiz’s Sis figures to get another shot at the Breeders’ Cup next month and is rounding into top form at the right time. Her Ruffian win earned her an eye-popping 113 Beyer Speed Figure, and added another Grade 1 win to go along with her Lady’s Secret (G1) victory over the synthetic surface at last year’s Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita – where this year’s Breeders’ Cup will be held.

Owned by Karl Watson and Weitman Performances, Tough Tiz’s Sis moved her career earnings to $903,792 in picking up her eighth win from 20 starts. The Ruffian was her sixth stakes victory.