2008: Four-year-old Season
The two-time Grade 1 winning colt made his first start of the 2008 season in the Grade 2 San Fernando Stakes at Santa Anita Park. Tiago remained mid pack along the backstretch but could not overtake the leaders when he tried to close down the stretch and finished third, two lengths behind the winner. It had been approximately two and half months since the colt last raced, and the shorter distance of this race compared to his previous endeavours may have played a factor in his performance.
On February 2, Tiago made his second start of 2008 in the Grade 2 Strub Stakes at Santa Anita. He finished second, beaten 4½ lengths by Monterey Jazz. Afterwards, however, his trainer, John Shirreffs, said that he was pleased with the colt's effort. On March 1, Tiago finished a fast-closing fourth behind Heatseeker, Go Between, and Champs Elysees in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap at Santa Anita Park. On April 5, Tiago earned his first victory as a four-year-old when he captured the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap at Oaklawn Park Race Track in Hot Springs, Arkansas, by prevailing by a head over Heatseeker after a grueling stretch duel.
On October 25 at Santa Anita Park, Tiago finished third in the Breeders' Cup Classic, picking up $500,000. He finished behind European invaders Raven's Pass and Henrythenavigator while finishing ahead of reigning Horse of the Year Curlin.
Read more about this topic: Tiago (horse), Racing Career
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