Record-setting sprinter Klassy Briefcase dies in Kentucky

Record-setting sprinter Klassy Briefcase, a resident of Georgetown, Ky.-based Thoroughbred retirement organization Old Friends, died Sept. 18. The Medieval Man mare was 28.

New Jersey-bred Klassy Briefcase won 18 of 42 career starts, earning $362,959. She won eight stakes races and placed in an additional four.

At age 5, Klassy Briefcase won the Park Heights Handicap at Pimlico Race Course, establishing a course record of :56.60 for five furlongs on the turf. She also established a course record of :56 for the same distance at Monmouth Park that season. The next year, Klassy Briefcase established what was then a world record for five furlongs on the turf, winning an allowance race at Monmouth in :54.97.

Retired from racing after that 1991 season, Klassy Briefcase produced five winners from eight starters, including stakes winners Stu’s Choice and Mr. Miesque. Her foals also included stakes producer Two Klassy and the unraced Briefcase, dam of stakes-placed Classy Number and the granddam of Grade 2 winner Briecat.

Klassy Briefcase was pensioned to Old Friends in 2008.