Classic Rock holds off challenge in Jeblar

Classic Rock fought off a challenge from Cautious Giant to win his third straight race Sunday in the $75,000 Jeblar at Gulfstream Park.

Cautious Giant finished second by a length, while it was another 9 1/2 lengths back to Diamond Bachelor in third.

The Jeblar was a 6 1/2-furlong overnight stakes for 3-year-olds and up.

Classic Rock ($2.40) broke running and proceeded to set fractions of 22.10 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.99 for the half-mile on a track rated good. He was joined by Cautious Giant approaching the quarter pole. Cautious Giant continued to challenge in the stretch, but Classic Rock had more and went on to cover the distance in 1:16.33.

“He broke so sharp,” winning rider Luis Saez told media officials at Gulfstream. “I felt at the three-eighths pole I had plenty of horse. Then I saw the other horse and got a little worried. But he fights. He always tries so hard. He’s a nice horse.”

Classic Rock is owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and is trained by Kathy Ritvo. He came into the Jeblar off a win in the Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Sprint on March 3 and before that won an optional $62,500 claiming sprint Dec. 20, also at Gulfstream.

Classic Rock is a son of Maclean’s Music. He has now won six races from 10 starts and has earnings of $229,937.