Classy Bird wins stakes debut in Crescent City Derby

NEW ORLEANS – Classy Bird, making only the fourth start of his career and his first start in a stakes, overcame a wide draw to post a 17-1 upset in the $75,000 Crescent City Derby for Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds on Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Classy Bird ($37.20), under veteran rider Cisco Torres, caught Extra Credit in deep stretch to win by one length. Ekati Warrior was another two lengths back in third, with 5-2 favorite Mageez three more lengths back in fourth.

Mageez was 2-1 entering the gate but acted up badly and had to be taken out and reloaded. He was allowed to start.

Classy Bird, who broke from the far outside in a field of 13, completed 1 1/16 miles on the fast main track in 1:46.33.

Classy Bird, a colt by Birdstone, had won once in three prior starts, that against Louisiana-bred maidens going a mile in January. Last month, he was third in a statebred allowance race.

“He always wanted distance, a route of ground,” said Lonnie Briley, who trains Classy Bird for owner Robbie Norman.