Late rallies were the theme of the day in a pair of 100-point Kentucky Derby prep races Saturday.

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.

At Turfway Park, Final Gambit rallied from the rear of a 12-horse field to win the Jeff Ruby Steaks and secure the 100 Kentucky Derby points that go with it — and a spot in Louisville. The top four runners after the opening three quarters finished seventh, eighth, ninth, and 10th. Post time favorite Poster finished fourth.

LOUISIANA DERBY REPLAY VIDEO