Classic Point scores emotional victory in Inside Information

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Classic Point raced to an emotional victory for her connections when holding off the longshot You Bought Her for a neck victory in the 41st running of the $200,000 Inside Information, the first of two Grade 2 stakes Saturday at Gulfstream Park for fillies and mares on the main track.

Jimmy Jerkens, who trains Classic Point, repeatedly fought back tears when accepting congratulations in the winner’s circle. His father, the legendary Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens, died Wednesday at age 85. Allen Jerkens had trained Classic Point for owner-breeder Joseph Shields Jr. until last summer.

“The fact my dad had her does make it pretty special,” said Jerkens.

Classic Point, a 6-year-old Florida-bred mare by Flatter, returned $10.80 as the third choice after finishing in 1:24.47 over a fast track.

Ridden by Paco Lopez, Classic Point settled into a comfortable stalking spot down the backstretch of the seven-furlong Inside Information while Merry Meadow, the 1-2 favorite, contested the lead from the rail. Leaving the far turn, as Merry Meadow faltered, Sweet Whiskey took command, but then Classic Point took command inside the eighth pole and had just enough left to edge You Bought Her, a 19-1 shot.

Sweet Whiskey was another half-length back in third and was followed by Centrique, Best Behavior, and Merry Meadow. Quiet Hour was an early scratch.

Classic Point was making her first start since winning the Grade 3 Go for Wand last November and now has won eight of 31 starts for earnings of $670,794. Shields, a longtime client of Allen Jerkens’s, was on hand for the race and also was visibly moved by the outcome.

The $2 exacta (4-1) paid $115.20, the $1 trifecta (4-1-3) returned $178.60, and the 10-cent superfecta (4-1-3-6) was worth $82.02.

With Merry Meadow out of the money after having won her last three starts, the respective show prices on the top three finishers were out of whack: $12.40, $26.80, and $11. Of $144,066 in the show pool, $121,335 was bet on her.

The second stakes of the day, the Royal Delta, was to follow about 90 minutes later.