Classy Edition takes advantage of soft pace in Royal Delta Stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – What a difference a year makes.

Nearly one year after finishing second, two lengths behind Kathleen O., in the Grade 2 Davona Dale in her 3-year-old debut, Classy Edition avenged that setback when registering a 1 3/4-length victory over that rival in Saturday’s $150,000 Royal Delta at Gulfstream Park. The win was the fourth on the card for jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.

Classy Edition, a 4-year-old daughter of Classic Empire, appeared to have a tactical advantage over the stretch-running Kathleen O. going into the Grade 3 Royal Delta and sure enough Ortiz made the most of that opportunity. Classy Edition was allowed to settle just off the early pace of Jungle Juice, who set leisurely fractions of 25.28 seconds and 50.15 for the opening half-mile. Classy Edition stuck her head in front after six furlongs, edged clear when roused in early stretch, and had plenty left to withstand a mild closing bid from the 4-5 Kathleen O.

:: Get ready for Gulfstream Park racing with DRF Past Performances, Picks, and Clocker Reports.

As expected, Kathleen O. settled at the rear of the field after a bit of a tardy start, advanced outside horses to closer contention on the second turn, fanned very wide while continuing her rally into the stretch, but could not menace the winner while easily second-best. Don’t Get Khozy outlasted the others to finish third at odds of 76-1. She was followed in order by Tap Dance Fever, Soul of an Angel, Midnight Stroll, and the tiring Jungle Juice.

Classy Edition, a New York-bred owned by Robert and Lawana Low, completed 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in 1:45.15 and paid $4.20.

“We always thought highly of her, she was a good second in the race here last year,” Pletcher said of the Davona Dale. “She needed some time off after the Gazelle [ on April 9], she came back and trained really well, her comeback race was excellent, and she kind of had a little tactical edge today. I was pretty pleased when they were putting up those fractions. She got to a good spot. It looked like Irad had a lot of horse, I was just waiting for him to pull the trigger.”

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.