IN a highly unusual year for everything, the first leg of the US Triple Crown, a most sought-after achievement, was the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes and it was won by Tiz The Law. Extending his unbeaten sophomore season to three victories, following successes in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes and the Grade 1 Curlin Florida Derby, the son of Constitution (Tapit) has now won five of his six starts and has earnings just short of $1.5 million. The bay won the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at two.

Tiz The Law is from the first crop of Constitution who stood this year for $40,000 at WinStar. They raced him in partnership with Twin Creeks Farm. This is a big jump from the mere $15,000 he cost last year, and that had dropped from his starting fee of $25,000.