Long-shot Tiago steals the 70th Santa Anita Derby

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Arcadia, CA (Sports Network) - Long-shot Tiago came flying down the stretch to win Saturday's $750,000 Santa Anita Derby.

Tiago was sent off at odds of 29-1 with jockey Mike Smith in the saddle. Racing far off the pace, the bay colt was about 10 lengths from the leaders as the field left the backstretch.

The early pace was set by Black Seventeen and Sam P. and morning-line favorite Liquidity was stalking the pace in third.

Tiago began his move on the turn for home along the inside. He hit the top of the stretch behind a wall of horses, but Smith moved him off the rail and split horses in deep stretch.

Tiago drew alongside and passed the leader, King of the Roxy, with a 100 yards to go. King of the Roxy finished a half-length behind Tiago with Sam P. holding on for third.

Rounding out the order of finish was Liquidity, Bwana Bull, Medici Code (GB), Court the King, Black Seventeen, Boutrous and Level Red.

Tiago covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.51.

Tiago is a half-brother to 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo. He has the same owners, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moss, and trainer John Shirreffs. The Santa Anita Derby was the three-year-old's first stakes victory after a seventh in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes.

He collected $450,000 for the win and has career earnings of $484,320. This was his second win in four lifetime starts.

Tiago returned $60.60, $23.80 and $10.00. King of the Roxy paid $6.40 and $4.60, and Sam P. paid $3.20 to show.