Si That Tiger Explodes in WTBOA Lads S.

Courtesy of Emerald Downs Auburn, WA (Aug. 4, 2024) – Si That Tiger appears to be the fastest 2-year-old at Emerald Downs in 2024.

In Sunday’s $50,000 WTBOA Lads Stakes, Si That Tiger took command around the turn and powered home to a convincing 5 ½-length victory, covering 6 ½ furlongs in a fast 1:16.33. Silvio Amador rode the winner at 121 lbs. for trainer Blaine Wright and the ownership partnership of John and Janene Maryanski and Gerald and Gail Schneider, all of Auburn, Wash.

A $20,000 yearling purchase, Si That Tiger has won two straight by a combined 12 ¾ lengths following a trouble-filled debut eight weeks ago. Including Sunday’s first-place check worth $27,500, his earnings now stand at $41,900.

Sandwiched between Kiss the Tiger and stablemate Vivacious Tribute on the backstretch, Si That Tiger spurted clear on the turn while running the half in :44.54, a potentially taxing fraction for a 2-year-old in early August. No problem, however, as Si That Tiger finished with a flourish in a dazzling performance.

“I thought he’d run good, but I didn’t know he had that (kind of race) in him right now,” Wright said in the post-race interview.

A California-bred by Smiling Tiger, Si That Tiger is out of Ros’s Girl, whose progeny include two-time Washington Horse of the Year Slew’s Tiz Whiz.