Back with her friends, Classy Edition rolls to victory in Critical Eye Stakes
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ELMONT, N.Y. - Despite bobbling soon after the start, Classy Edition proved, well, too classy for her five fellow New York-bred female rivals, drawing clear in the stretch for a 2 1/4-length victory in Monday’s $200,000 Critical Eye Stakes at Belmont Park.
Classy Edition, coming off a last-place finish in the Grade 1 La Troienne at Churchill Downs 24 on May 5, improved her record to 4 for 4 versus New York-breds. Sterling Silver, who had been unbeaten in three starts versus statebreds, finished second, 8 3/4 lengths clear of Timeless Journey, who nosed out Venti Valentine for third. Let Her Inspire U finished fifth followed by Ok Honey.
Interestingly, jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., said the bobble in the third or fourth stride out of the gate may have aided Classy Edition, as it enabled him to keep her from dueling on the lead with a keen Venti Valentine.
Classy Edition was a stalking third through a half-mile in 47.11 seconds, but only a length or so behind Venti Valentine, who took some pressure from Let Her Inspire U. Classy Edition and Let Her Inspire U both are trained by Todd Pletcher.
“I was looking to break and try to relax, and if I could sit second outside of her that’d be perfect,” Ortiz said. “It worked out perfect because before we ran 100 meters, I was already in the position I wanted to be.”
When Venti Valentine retreated midway around the far turn, Classy Edition came outside of Let Her Inspire U, took over in upper stretch, and held a hard-trying Sterling Silver at bay to the wire.
Classy Edition, a 4-year-old daughter of Classic Empire owned by Robert and Lawana Low, covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.82 and returned $3.40 as the odds-on choice. She improved her record to 6-1-0 from nine starts, which includes a victory in the Grade 3 Royal Delta at Gulfstream in February.
Classy Edition had a minor cut on the back of her right front hoof walking out of the winner’s circle Monday, but assistant trainer Byron Hughes said it looked superficial.
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