The Clement train keeps on rollin' in Dayatthespa Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Christophe Clement’s sensational Saratoga summer continued Wednesday as Classic Lady held off War Canoe by a neck to win the $85,000 Dayatthespa Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares on turf.

The victory was the meet-leading 11th for Clement, fourth in a stakes race. Classic Lady was ridden by Joel Rosario, who has ridden eight of Clement’s winners through the first 10 days and who has 14 wins here overall.

“I don’t pinch myself, I don’t like that,” Clement said. “Eleven wins, I just enjoy it every day. We just wake up in the morning and it’s business as usual.”

Classic Lady was making just her second start for Clement. Four weeks ago, at Belmont Park, she was beaten a nose by heavily favored Fifty Five in the Mount Vernon Stakes at odds of 6-1.

Wednesday, Classic Lady was the even-money favorite. Vortex Road, under Kendrick Carmouche, ran out to the lead and set fractions posted as 25.90 seconds for the quarter, 51.59 for the half-mile, and 1:15.33 for six furlongs.

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Rosario had a snug hold on Classic Lady, only 2 1/2 lengths back. War Canoe, meanwhile was fifth, 7 1/2 lengths back after the pedestrian half-mile under Irad Ortiz Jr.

Entering the far turn, Ortiz launched a bid on War Canoe and though she got within a half-length of Classic Lady in mid-stretch, Rosario had something left with which to finish and fended off War Canoe.

War Canoe got second by 1 3/4 lengths over Wegetsdamunnys, a Clement-trained mare who broke poorly and was last for the opening six furlongs. Vortex Road was fourth, followed by Niko’s Dream and Wish Upon.

Classic Lady, a daughter of Jimmy Creed owned by Michael Dubb and Michael Caruso’s Bethlehem Stables, covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.36 over firm turf and returned $4.10 as the favorite.

“She was really happy where she was and I was just following the horse on the lead and when she was ready to go then go on,” Rosario said.

Clement said watching Rosario, he thought Classic Lady would have something left for the late stages of the race.

“I was pretty confident because Joel did not use our filly until the stretch where the other filly moved into the turn and I just thought it was going to be a long stretch for the other filly and Joel proved me right,” Clement said.

Classic Lady could be considered for the $150,000 Yaddo Handicap here on Sept. 4.