Tiz Wonderful, E Z Warrior clash in More Than Ready

E Z Warrior recorded his last win in the San Miguel in January (Alex Evers/Horsephotos.com) Wednesday's $75,000 More Than Ready S. at Belmont Park has come up much saltier than the average overnight stakes, with TIZ WONDERFUL (Tiznow) and E Z WARRIOR (Exploit), two of last year's most promising juveniles, using the one-mile test as a vehicle to get their sophomore campaigns back on track. Both were unbeaten at two, but have had their share of adversity this season. Tiz Wonderful stamped himself as a leading Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful after going three-for-three in 2006. The Steve Asmussen pupil romped by 12 1/2 lengths in his debut at Saratoga, opened up by 6 3/4 lengths in the Iroquois S. (G3) and held Any Given Saturday (Distorted Humor) at bay by a half-length in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2). Unfortunately, his Triple Crown ambitions were shattered when he sustained a tendon injury in January. Given plenty of time to recover, Tiz Wonderful was then prepared for a return to action at Saratoga, with an eye toward a possible tilt at the Travers S. (G1). The bay ridgling accordingly reappeared in the 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy S. (G2), but his excursion went quickly awry. Steadied when too headstrong for his own good early, Tiz Wonderful prompted the pace on the outside before giving way on the far turn and finished a long-way last of six behind champion Street Sense (Street Cry [Ire]). Asmussen still left the door slightly ajar regarding his status for the Travers, but he ultimately decided to skip the "Mid-Summer Derby."

On Wednesday, Tiz Wonderful will cut back to a one-turn mile as he bids to

rebound. Regular rider John Velazquez will guide the Stonestreet Stables

colorbearer from post 6.

The Bob Baffert-trained E Z Warrior was undefeated from two starts last

season, including a 2 3/4-length score in the Hollywood Juvenile Championship S.

(G3). Sidelined for six months, he resurfaced in early January at Santa Anita

and rolled by 1 3/4 lengths in the San Miguel S., but he was shelved for another

six months because of foot issues.

The dark bay didn't return until Del Mar, when he tackled older sprinters in

the Bing Crosby H. (G1), and like Tiz Wonderful's Jim Dandy, it didn't go

according to plan. After stumbling at the break, E Z Warrior floundered on the

Polytrack en route to finishing a distant eighth of nine. Owner Ahmed Zayat

expressed his dissatisfaction with the synthetic surface and shipped his horses

out of Del Mar. Rerouted to Saratoga, E Z Warrior lined up in the seven-furlong

King's Bishop S. (G1) on Travers Day. He again found trouble early, hitting the

gate at the start, but rallied strongly for third.

In contrast to Tiz Wonderful, E Z Warrior will be stepping up in trip in his

mile debut. Exclusive pilot David Flores comes in from California to stick with

the 123-pound co-highweight, who has drawn post 4.

Also toting 123 pounds is STUNT MAN (Western Expression), a handy two-length

winner of the Albany S. at the Spa last time out. The late-running New York-bred

is taking a class hike for conditioner Gary Contessa as he faces open company

for the first time.

Iowa Derby runner-up FLASHSTORM (Storm Cat) set a pressured pace in the Jim

Dandy and retreated to fifth. The Wayne Lukas colt promises to contribute to a

lively pace scenario here from post 2, along with BELIEVEINMENOW (Tiznow), who

figures to show speed from the rail. In his past two outings, Believeinmenow has

finished fourth in the Dwyer S. (G2) at Belmont and third in the Lemon Drop Kid

S. at Saratoga. Another early pace factor, SHOPTON LANE (Quiet American), has

drawn post 3 in his stakes debut. Currently riding a three-race winning streak,

the Bruce Levine charge was running for a $50,000 tag just two starts ago.

REPTILIAN SMARTS (Include) hasn't made an impact in his last three outings,

all in graded stakes company, and must move forward off his remote sixth in the

Barbaro S. (G3) to take a hand in this spot.

Believeinmenow will lead the post parade beneath Mike Luzzi. Next will come

Flashstorm, Cornelio Velasquez; Shopton Lane, Richard Migliore; E Z Warrior;

Stunt Man, Javier Castellano; Tiz Wonderful; and Reptilian Smarts, Eibar Coa.

With the exception of E Z Warrior and Stunt Man, each of the other five

sophomores will shoulder 118 pounds.