Despite missing a start, Classical Cat perseveres to take Eddie Logan Stakes
ARCADIA, Calif. – A missed start was no problem for 2-year-old colt Classical Cat in the Eddie Logan Stakes, while a missed workout might have prevented even-money favorite Nagirroc from running to top form in the turf mile for 2-year-olds on Friday at Santa Anita.
Benefiting from a ground-saving trip under Umberto Rispoli, Classical Cat ($6.60) won the $100,500 Logan by a half-length over First Peace; Nagirroc finished third. The fourth- through sixth-place finishers were Game Time, Malibu Coast, and Ah Jeez. Speed Boat Beach was scratched and will aim to an upcoming dirt stakes. Tostado scratched and will target an allowance race for his U.S. debut.
Classic Cat was racing for first time in more than two months, after sustaining a cut leg in his stall that forced him to miss the Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille on Dec. 4 at Del Mar. Trainer Phil D’Amato targeted the Logan next, the colt worked well in the interim, and delivered on Friday with a perfect trip.
“Umberto thought he’d be in a stalking spot behind those two speeds,” D’Amato said. “We battled it out. There were some nice horses in there, and he showed his class.”
Rispoli tucked Classical Cat into fourth on the rail, saved every inch of ground, angled outside for the drive, wore down pace-presser First Peace and inched clear by a half-length in 1:34.38 over a course labeled good.
Even-money favorite Nagirroc had his chance rallying wide into the stretch, but trainer Graham Motion’s concern about a missed workout before shipping from Maryland may have been the difference. Nagirroc, third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last out, did not follow through on his run and was blowing very hard after the race.
Michael House owns Classical Cat, a $65,000 yearling sired by Mendelssohn. Although the Logan was a grass race, Classical Cat won his debut on dirt at Del Mar and trains well over the Santa Anita main track. D’Amato did not rule out the idea of running him on dirt in early 2023.
“We’re going to see,” he said. “I keep training him on the main track because he has an affinity for it, and breezes well on it. If an opportune time comes, maybe we’ll give it a shot.”
Classical Cat is now 3 for 4 with earnings of $146,300. His only loss was a seventh-place finish in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.