Santa Rosa couple's horse to race in Wine Country Stakes

Locals will have a rooting interest in Saturday's feature race at the Sonoma County Fair when Santa Rosa-owned Tiza Diva contests the $50,000 added Wine Country Stakes.

The 3-year-old gray filly is owned by longtime residents John and Judy DeMeo and the couple has been racing horses at the fair since 1953.

Tiza Diva's local roots go even deeper, as she's trained by Santa Rosa resident Steve Specht.

Purchased for $16,000 at an auction last year in Southern California, the daughter of Tiz Wonderful and Sallie's Memory has already earned $45,775 while winning two of nine races.

In the mile-and-one-sixteenth Wine Country race, which will be run over the turf course, Tiza Diva will face four rivals. She figures to be third choice in the betting behind the Jerry Hollendorfer-trained Dreamarcher and Southern California invader Sweet Queen.

“I think our filly will run decent,” conditioner Specht said. “She's training real well.” The Kentucky-bred's most recent work was 5 furlongs in :59.8 at Golden Gate Fields on Sunday.

Tiza Diva's last race was a fourth-place finish in an allowance on June 30 at Santa Anita.

Prior to that, she didn't finish in a June 12 turf race at Golden Gate.

“The grass was in bad shape that race at Golden Gate and she slipped,” Specht said. “The jockey was unsure if she hurt herself and pulled her up.

“Her training schedule was messed up after being pulled up. She wound up on the vet's list even though there was nothing wrong with her. We went to Santa Anita because she needed a race and we ran into some very good fillies.

“The stake here is tough, but not as tough as that Santa Anita race.”

Kyle Frey, who rode Tiza Diva the day she was pulled up, will be back aboard Saturday. Jack DeMeo, a prominent attorney and civic leader, said the filly was brought up to the couple's ranch after the sale.

“She needed time to fill out and mature,” he said. “During those three months, she and my wife bonded. Judy just loves her.

“We were kind of surprised we bought her at such a reasonable price. She's doing well and we're looking forward to the race.”

The DeMeos now have a stable of four that race under their maroon and gold silks. There's Junior G Man, No Team Spirit, Jack Jack, Jack and Tiza Diva.

NOTES

Saturday's 10-race program begins at 1:15 p.m. with a mule race. The Wine Country Stakes is the ninth event on the card.

There are two other grass races (fifth and seventh) scheduled.

The Wine Country is the first of seven $50,000 stakes races to be decided by closing day August 14. On Sunday, the Luther Burbank will be renewed for the 46th time.

Saturday is Wine Country Hat Day. There will be a competition to select the best hats.

Announcer Michael Wrona will be the guest at Saturday's handicapping seminar which begins at 11:30 a.m. in Shade Park.

Johnny Reb captured Friday's feature race for trainer Michael Lenzini and jockey William Antongeorgi III.

Kyle Frey was the only jockey with more than one winner Friday. He scored with Kuuipo (second) and She's Flush (eighth).