Fair Grounds: Class Included wears down Eden Prairie in Bayou Handicap

NEW ORLEANS – Class Included launched a strong stretch run and wore down Eden Prairie in the final furlong to win the $60,000 Bayou Handicap by 1 1/2 lengths Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan for trainer Ron Faucheux and Maurice and Evelyn Benoit's Brittlyn Stable, Class Included had a smooth stalking trip in the turf race for older fillies and mares. She settled into fourth place early as pacesetter Eden Prairie, pressed by Masquerade, ran the first quarter-mile in 24.01 seconds, the half in 48.10, and six furlongs in 1:12.21.

Turning into the stretch, Eden Prairie maintained the lead, but Class Included was bearing down on the outside. Outfighting Eden Prairie to the finish, Class Included completed about 1 1/16 miles on good turf in 1:43.46. She has won three of her last four starts, all stakes. She paid $7.80.

"It was tough,'' Faucheux said. “[Eden Prairie] fought the whole way with us. We were fortunate to be the winner.''

Class Included, a 6-year-old mare by Include, won for the 13th time in 25 career starts and boosted her earnings to $630,826.