Classy Class shows he's still got it

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Classy Class returned to the winner’s circle on Thursday for the first time in nearly two years with a two-length victory in a third-level allowance race at Aqueduct.

Classy Class, who sparred on the lead with Big Guy Ian for the first half-mile, edged clear under Rajiv Maragh. He ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.74 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 101.

“He’s had the 1 hole the last two times – I don’t like the one hole – but Rajiv had a lot of confidence,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “He ran very well, ran very fast.”

It was the first win for Classy Class since July 2015, when he won an allowance race at Belmont Park.

“He’s a horse that deserved to win – he’s had a lot of troubled trips,” McLaughlin said. “I don’t know what we do next with him. I do know that was a good race.”

The $100,000 Diablo Stakes on May 7 could be back too soon for Classy Class. The Grade 2, $250,000 True North will be run at Belmont on June 9.

Meanwhile, McLaughlin said Indulgent, second to Highway Star in the Grade 3, $150,000 Distaff Handicap on April 9, could make her next start in the Grade 2, $250,000 Ruffian going a mile at Belmont on May 14.

“I’ve always felt like she’s going to be better going further,” McLaughlin said.