Classic Rock rallies to victory in Roar Stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - It was all in the family Friday at Gulfstream Park where jockey Michael Ritvo rode Classic Rock to an easy and popular four-length victory in the $75,000 Roar Stakes for his mother, trainer Kathy Ritvo.

Making his first start since winning an entry-level optional claiming/allowance race here Jan. 6, Classic Rock rated off the early pace set by longshots Coronado Again and Field Trip. Classic Rock rallied three wide to readily take the lead midway on the turn, shook clear into the stretch, then increased his advantage despite finishing on his left lead, as he had in each of his two previous wins.

Chatiment, the only other multiple winner in the field, rallied to finish second, a length in front of Katalox.

Classic Rock, a son of Maclean’s Music owned by Reeves Thoroughbreds, was shipped to Santa Anita after winning his 3-year-old debut in such impressive fashion to compete in the Grade 2 San Vincente. But he took ill one week before the race and was unable to compete. Classic Rock returned to the work tab here last month and trained extremely well in preparation for his stakes bow.

Classic Rock completed seven furlongs in 1:23.11 and paid $4.40.

Ritvo, who trained Mucho Macho Man to win the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic for the Reeves, was all smiles after the race.

“He ran great,” Ritvo said. “It was a really nice comeback. He’s so smart. Sometimes he gets bored when he leaves his company, which is why he doesn’t change his leads like that. It’s fine. If he has a horse next to him, he’ll do it.”

Ritvo said she plans to take things day to day, see how Classic Rock comes out of the race, before making any plans for his next start.