Classy Act on the improve ahead of Fair Grounds Oaks

Classy Act was just less than 6-1 odds when she won a first-level allowance race Jan. 19 at Fair Grounds and just more than 5-1 when she finished a fine second to Monomoy Girl in the Feb. 17 Rachel Alexandra Stakes, but the filly just might be favored Saturday in the Grade 2, $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks.

That’s partly a function of a shallow national 3-year-old filly division, but also has much to do with the strong progress Classy Act has made over the winter for trainer Bret Calhoun. On Sunday, Classy Act put the finishing touches on her major preparation for the Fair Grounds Oaks when she worked a swift half-mile in 47.80 seconds, the third-fastest among 91 works at the distance that day.

“It was a little quicker than I would’ve liked, but she was well within herself and galloped out well,” Calhoun said. “She was on cruise control early and really came home well. The last part of it, she was so quick, and the way she did it was absolutely perfect.”

Classy Act showed her connections talent from the start but needed four tries to win a maiden race and finally did on turf. The maiden win coincided with the addition of blinkers, but Classy Act, who is by Into Mischief and out of the Distorted Humor mare Acting Class, also has started to grow up and grasp what’s being asked of her. Classy Act, Calhoun said, used to work modestly without company, but now she focuses and works strongly without a companion horse to hold her interest.

Classy Act drew post 1 for the Oaks, not ideal but manageable. “It’s definitely not where I’d have chosen, but she’s fast,” said Calhoun. “She’ll be up there.”

Calhoun’s second Oaks entrant, Patrona Margarita, is not without hope. She finished fourth in the Rachel Alexandra, her first start in five months, and has a right to improve Saturday. Patrona Margarita also worked Sunday, going a half-mile in 48.60.