Deniro's Saint displays surprising speed to win Dr. T.F. Classen Stakes

Who says you can’t teach an old gray mare new tricks?

The 6-year-old Deniro’s Saint, a deep closer in route races in 11 of her last 12 starts dating back to June 2014, displayed surprising early speed to capture Saturday’s $75,000 Dr. T.F. Classen Stakes for Ohio-accredited fillies and mares at Thistledown.

Sent to challenge the 3-year-old filly Ebby for the early lead by jockey Luis Gonzalez, Deniro’s Saint was prominent through fractions of 22.24 and 47.20 seconds. She opened a clear lead in the stretch and drew off to defeat Ebby by 3 3/4 lengths, completing six furlongs in 1:12.86.

It was the first sprint win for Deniro’s Saint ($6.40), a daughter of Saints n’ Sinners trained by Josh Faulkner for owner Joe Faulkner, since November 2012, when she wired the field in the Glacial Princess at now-defunct Beulah Park. Overall, Deniro’s Saint has won 10 of 28 starts and $412,474, including seven stakes.

In her first start of the season less than three weeks ago, Deniro's Saint tried a sprint, but was last of eight after a quarter-mile and never threatened while finishing fifth.

Ebby, making her first start since winning back-to-back stakes last fall, was easily second-best in the Classen, finishing 1 1/2 lengths clear of last year’s Classen winner, Derby Day Storm. Hope’s Frog Song was sixth of seven as the 9-5 favorite.