Classical Cat will likely point to Del Mar Futurity, D'Amato says

DEL MAR, Calif. - Classical Cat, who cost a mere $65,000 as a yearling, beat Hejazi, a $3.55 million buy at a 2-year-olds in-training sale in May, in a maiden special weight race at 5 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar on Saturday.

Classical Cat, owned by Michael House and trained by Phil D’Amato, closed from third of eight to win by 2 1/2 lengths, paying $13.20. Hejazi, trained by Bob Baffert for Amr Zedan, was 2-5.

D’Amato said Sunday that Classical Cat is under consideration for the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 11 or the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Oct. 8.

“I would say plan A would be the futurity,” D’Amato said.

On Saturday, Classical Cat closed from third to take the lead on the turn, gaining an advantage at that stage of the race over Hejazi, who was fourth on the turn and finished well through the final furlong.

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“It was a good race,” Baffert said. “We wanted to win. The winner is a good horse.”

Classical Cat, ridden by Umberto Rispoli, was timed in 1:03.95 for 5 1/2 furlongs. Rispoli said Classical Cat will gain substantially from the experience.

“He’s full of class,” Rispoli said. “He went to the gate like he’s been there 100 times.”

Also on Saturday, Kangaroo Court recorded a sharp win in a maiden special weight race for 2-year-old California-breds, winning by 14 1/2 lengths. Kangaroo Court finished 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03.33.

Second in his debut on July 23, Kangaroo Court was scratched from the Grade 3 Best Pal Stakes on Aug. 14 in favor of Saturday’s maiden race.

“Everything worked out well,” trainer Tim Yakteen said.

Owned by George Sharp, Kangaroo Court is a candidate for the $125,000 I’m Smokin Stakes for statebreds at six furlongs on Sept. 9. Yakteen said the I’m Smokin, which is worth $71,250 to the winner, is preferred to the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity. Kangaroo Court figures to be a short-priced favorite in the I’m Smokin.

“We’ll plan on going in the I’m Smokin,” Yakteen said. “It’s hard to pass up $70,000 and be odds-on.”

Abel Cedillo rode Kangaroo Court. Cedillo avoided injury when he was cow-kicked on his inner thigh by the gelding in the paddock. Cedillo said he woke up on Sunday morning feeling no ill effects.

“I’m lucky,” he said.