Big and Classy wins eighth race of the year in Jackson Bend Handicap

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - It’s tough to keep Big and Classy out of the winner’s circle for too long.

After suffering just his second setback in nine starts this season in his previous start, Big and Classy got back on the winning track and did so in impressive fashion, parlaying a picture perfect trip into a one-sided and very popular 3 1/2-length victory over Avant Glory in Saturday’s $65,000 Jackson Bend Handicap at Gulfstream Park.

The Jackson Bend was his eighth victory of the season, tying him with the Wyoming-based Fayette Warrior for the most victories by any horse in North America in 2023.

Big and Classy, the 123-pound highweight in a field of six, raced in perfect striking position from the outset of the seven-furlong Jackson Bend, stalking the pace of stretch-out sprinter Warrior’s Pride, who was trying the distance for the first time in his career.

With regular rider Leonel Reyes aboard, Big and Classy readily overtook the leader approaching the quarter pole while joined by Avant Glory into the stretch. The pair raced as a team through the furlong grounds at which point the favorite asserted his superiority, readily drawing well clear under pressure to the wire.

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Avant Glory, who also finished a distant second behind Big and Classy when the pair met under allowance conditions here seven weeks earlier, was easily second best, finishing 2 3/4 lengths in front of Zydeceaux, the only 3-year-old in the field. Cajun’s Magic, the tiring Warrior’s Pride, and disappointing Starship Renegade rounded out the complete order of finish.

Big and Classy, a son of The Big Beast who was haltered by trainer Bobby Dibona for $20,000 on March 16, increased his seasonal earnings to more than $237,000. He completed the distance in 1:22.58 seconds over a fast track and paid $3.40.

“I keep saying, his name says it all,” said Dibona. “He’s a gem. He’s got a big heart. He just knows how to do it.”

Dibona said before the race he was using the Jackson Bend as a stepping-stone to the $100,000 Gil Campbell Memorial at a mile for Florida-breds here on Oct. 21.

“He has to go a little further but I don’t think it will be a problem,” said Dibona.

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