Classic Rock pointing to Woody Stephens Stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Classic Rock, among the more promising 3-year-olds on the grounds now, boarded a van Monday bound for New York, where he’ll test graded stakes waters for the first time June 10 in the Grade 2, seven-furlong Woody Stephens.

Classic Rock, whose connections, owner Reeves Thoroughbreds and trainer Kathy Ritvo, combined to win the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic with Mucho Macho Man, has won his last three starts, all at seven furlongs, including an overnight stakes by four lengths April 21.

This will be Classic Rock’s second trip out of south Florida this year. The first ended in disappointment after he took sick and had to miss the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita in February.

“We brought him back home and took it slow and easy with him after the trip to California,” Ritvo said. “He’s done well and progressed nicely ever since. He continues to train forwardly since his last win, and we believe he deserves a chance in a race like the Woody Stephens at this time. I want to get him to New York early and work him twice at Belmont to give him plenty of opportunity to get a feel for that racetrack, which I think can be a lot different than the one he’s been training over and is used to here at Gulfstream Park.”

Classic Rock has worked twice since his last victory, including an extremely easy half-mile in 50.36 seconds with the trainer’s son, Michael Ritvo, aboard here Saturday. Ritvo rode Classic Rock to his stakes win last month, although the riding assignment for the Woody Stephens has yet to be determined.

Diaz seeks third win in row

There are no allowance races on the card when racing resumes Thursday. The afternoon’s main event is a $24,000 starter optional claimer scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on turf, weather permitting; it drew a field of nine, plus one also-eligible.

The well-matched lineup is led by Diaz, who has rallied to two hard-fought neck decisions in his last two starts for trainer Tamara Levy. The first came at Tampa Bay Downs going 11 furlongs March 25; the second was here when turning back to 1 1/16 miles nearly six weeks later.

Perfect Tay was narrowly defeated by Diaz in their last encounter as the prohibitive 3-5 favorite. On Thursday, he will try to snap a streak of three consecutive runner-up finishes since he was haltered by trainer Angel Rodriguez for owner Frank Calabrese for $16,000 out of a winning effort Feb. 25.

Other key contenders include Boca Scuttlebutt, who drops a notch in class, and Cut to Order.

The headliner will serve as the next-to-last leg in a Rainbow 6 sequence that begins with a carryover of $333,214.

◗ Jorge Ruiz and Angel Penna Jr. were the only jockey and trainer to double up on Sunday’s card, teaming to win the first and fifth races with Passionate Girl ($5.80) and Fashionably Wild ($3.40). The riding double gave Ruiz 20 victories for the meet and solidified his hold on fifth place in the standings behind Tyler Gaffalione, who holds a commanding edge over runner-up Edgard Zayas in the standings for the spring-summer session.

◗ Although he suffered his first loss in four career starts, Mo Cash was gallant when finishing second behind the older and vastly more seasoned Quijote in Saturday’s $100,000 Big Drama Stakes. Mo Cash, the only 3-year-old in the field, appeared to be on his way to a fourth straight triumph when slipping inside the eventual winner to challenge for the lead near the eighth pole before dropping a two-length decision.

Mo Cash, a Florida-bred son of Indian Charlie, received a career-best 91 Beyer Speed Figure in the Big Drama.

Quijote and Mo Cash could return in separate races on the July 1 Summit of Speed program, the former in the Grade 2 Smile Sprint, a Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, the latter in the Grade 3 Carry Back for 3-year-olds.