10/08/2012 7:13PM

Hastings: Class Included eyes Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic after Ballerina win

By Randy Goulding
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia  – Russell Baze guided Class Included to an impressive win over Evelyn’s Dancer in the Grade 3, $100,000 Ballerina at Hastings on Monday. She paid $3.20 as the clear choice over Evelyn’s Dancer in the 1 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares.

Baze had Class Included in a stalking position behind P. S. Touch Down and Evelyn’s Dancer for six furlongs. He moved her into contention between horses at the quarter pole. With P. S. Touch Down dropping out of the race, Class Included dropped to the rail, where she was in a little tight heading into the stretch turn. Baze moved her to the outside of Evelyn’s Dancer on the turn and gradually drew clear to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Orchid’s Silver, who upset Class Included in last year’s Ballerina, rallied to finish a distant third.

“I had a ton of horse the whole way,” Baze said. “She was a bit intimidated when she was on the rail, but I knew I had a lot of horse and wasn’t worried.”

Trained by Jim Penney, Class Included may make her next start in the Grade 1, Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic.

“We’re going to look at how tough the field is before we make our final decision,” Penney said.

“I’m going with you if you go,” Baze said.

The final time was 1:49.30.

 

Jim Fields More than 1 year ago
It's a fream, but notmany northwest horses get to dream that big. good luck jim and russell
Paul Ferg More than 1 year ago
she'd have a better chance in the F&M Turf or F&M Sprint then taking on those that are pointing for the Ladies Classic......This years version should be run on Saturday as it's that good of a field.....
Brian Russell More than 1 year ago
Really? They are going to look at how tough the field is in the Ladies Classic? Questing, Royal Delta, Awesome Feather, My Miss Aurelia and a few others others would win a $100K race at Hastings by 15+ lengths!
Ange More than 1 year ago
Exactly! I run my horses at Hastings but they also don't run in the Breeder's Cup! Two words for Mr. Penney... ROYAL DELTA! Turn your nice filly out, bring her back to Emerald and Hastings next year.