Tiztastic Unstoppable in Louisiana Derby, Earns Spot in 151st Kentucky Derby

By Kevin Kilroy —-

3/22/2025 – Tiztastic with Joel Rosario aboard wins the 112th running of the $1,000,000 Grade II Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

New Orleans, La (March 22, 2025) – Rallying from well off the pace, Tiztastic proved unstoppable down the stretch in the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, Tiztastic won by 2 1/4 lengths over Chunk of Gold, adding 100 points for a new total of 119, qualifying him for the 151st Kentucky Derby.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Tiztastic covered the 1 3/16 miles in 1:56.20 under jockey Joel Rosario. The trainer and jockey combo teamed up to win the 2022 Louisiana Derby with Epicenter. Asmussen has now won five local derbies, trying Todd Pletcher for the record.

Tiztastic got away clean and settled along the rail as John Hancock got the jump on the field, leading his nine foes through hot opening fractions of :22.99 and :46.84. As Yinzer and Furio prompted the pace, Built and Chunk of Gold tracked the leaders waiting to make their forward move. Tiztastic began to advance up the backside and in the far turn began to build momentum. Built took the lead at the top of the stretch but soon began to tire as Chunk of Gold shot forward for the brief lead. After swinging four wide out of the turn, Tiztastic rallied past Chunk of Gold and with a furlong to go was in the clear.

Chunk of Gold finished strong for second, earning 50 points for a new total of 75, ensuring a spot in the Derby. Instant Replay flew from last for third, scoring his first 25 qualifying points. John Hancock battled back to finish fourth, adding 15 for a new total of 35. Built scored 10 points for running fifth and now has 45 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Sent off at 7-1, Tiztastic returned $17.00, $7.20, and $4.40. Chunk Of Gold paid $8.40 and $5.20. Instant Replay paid $5.20.

Bred by Capital Bloodstock in Kentucky, Tiztastic is by Tiz the Law and out of the Tapit mare Keesha. With a career record of 8-3-1-2, Tiztastic’s career earnings skyrocketed to $1,549,800.

Sunday, March 23 is Closing Day at Fair Grounds. A trio of Louisiana-bred stakes will close out the 12-race card. First post is 12:45 p.m. CT

Louisiana Derby (G2) Quotes

Steve Asmussen, trainer of Tiztastic (winner)

“We thought he’d run bigger in the Southwest. Since he didn’t run his race and he had trained so well here, we brought him back here, knowing he needed more distance. He’s stepping forward when he needs to. The horse ahs got a great mind about him. He ran a solid race but I think there’s more in him.”

Joel Rosario, jockey of Tiztastic (winner)

“Very good trip. He did everything right. He handled a little bit of traffic at the 3/8ths pole. The pace was fast in front and I had the horse underneath me to get it done.”

Ethan West, trainer of Chunk of Gold (2nd)

“He was a lot closer in this race than he ever has been. Jareth said he was a lot more aggressive early on the front side here and he was trying to get covered up behind John Hancock. He said down the backside he took a big breath and relaxed and he said he was tired but rightfully so. Jareth put a beautiful ride on him he was just – we talked about it was picture perfect.”

Florent Geroux, jockey of Instant Replay (3rd)

“Distance is not a problem with him. Question is if he’s good enough. I was following the winner around there. I feel like he got a little bit tired on me the last sixteenth of a mile. He swapped leads on me. It was a great run–he’s moving forward.”

Flavien Prat on John Hancock (4th)

“He broke so well, I went on with him and he was traveling well, he settled down nicely on the backside. They came at me and it looked like he was done, but he regrouped and ran a good fourth”

Brad Cox, trainer of Instant Replay (3rd) and John Hancock (4th)

“They’re not going to get in (to the Derby). I don’t think we’ll try to take another swing (in a prep race). John Hancock didn’t run as well as I hoped and expected. Instant Replay ran well–there was enough pace for him. We’ll regroup on them both and figure out next steps.”

Jose Ortiz, jockey of Built (5th)

“I had a great trip. The last eighth of a mile was very hard for us. He started to struggle.”

Brian Hernandez Jr. jockey of Hypnus (7th)

“We kind of had the same trip as the winner going down the backside. They were going fast. He cruised up my inside and I was right outside of him and I tried to make the run with him. My horse just couldn’t sustain his run. He emptied out. His last two races.”

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About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, La, Fair Grounds, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 15 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 153rd Thoroughbred Racing Season–highlighted by the 112th running of the Louisiana Derby–will run from Nov. 22, 2024 through March 23, 2025. More information is available online at www.fgno.com.