Tiz the Law is a bay horse with a broad white blaze, bred in New York state by Twin Creeks Farm.
The colt was sent into training with Barclay Tagg, who had previously handled Sackatoga's 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide.
[3] Tiz the Law is from the first crop of foals by Constitution, a Kentucky-bred stallion whose wins included the Florida Derby and the Donn Handicap.
[4] Tiz the Law's dam Tizfiz, a daughter of Tiznow, was a successful racemare who included the Grade II San Gorgonio Handicap among her seven track victories.
[6] Tiz the Law made his second start on October 5 at Belmont Park where Tagg stepped him sharply up in class by entering him in the 2019 Grade 1 Champagne Stakes, New York's most important race for two-year-old colts.
[7][8] Although the win gave the colt a free entry into the Breeders' Cup Juvenile four weeks later, Tagg opted to miss the race, commenting, "It's a little close, and I think it will be pushing him".
Over a sloppy track, Tiz the Law was close to the early pace but became trapped in a pocket and did not respond quickly enough when he finally got racing room.
[9] Due to his win at the 2019 Champagne Stakes, Tiz the Law was the early favorite on the 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby.
[10] Tiz the Law began his 2020 season on February 1 with a win in the Grade III Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park in Florida.
Tiz the Law's connections decided to give the colt a break while waiting for the racing schedule for the rest of the year to develop.
If the 2020 Belmont Stakes followed the Preakness, as had become traditional, the race would conflict with the Breeders' Cup to be held in early November.
[16] Because of Sackatoga Stables' connections to Saratoga, one of their main goals was to win the racetrack's premier race, the Travers Stakes.
Uncle Chuck went to the early lead and set a reasonable pace with Tiz the Law poised to the outside about a length behind.
"[17][18] "After winning the Kentucky Derby [with Funny Cide in 2002], which is really the highlight for anyone who is involved in this sport, this is easily number 2", said Knowlton.