Rematch set in Classen Memorial

The third running of the $50,000 Dr. T.F. Classen Memorial Stakes sets up a rematch between the top two finishers in last year's race, Imahoneytoo and Just Michel. Saturday's six-furlong race has drawn a field of nine Ohio-bred fillies and mares.

Imahoneytoo, a 6-year-old chestnut daughter of Latvia, was voted Ohio-bred champion mare in 2006. She prepped for this race with a sharp come-from-behind win in a 5 1/2-furlong sprint here April 21. She has the tactical speed to be well placed, and if she offers her usual stretch kick, she will be hard to beat. Imahoneytoo was bred by her owner, Ronald Zielinski, and is trained by his son, Richard. Her regular rider, Jeffrey Skerrett, will be in the irons.

Just Michel is a multiple-stakes-winning daughter of Pacific Waves and was a fast-closing third, beaten by a half-length, in the six-furlong Angenora Stakes here on April 21. She is a very accomplished sprinter who likes to settle into stride before doing her best running, and definitely will be a horse to beat. Imahoneytoo beat her by 1 1/2 lengths in last year's race.

Michael Nance trains Just Michel for M.Y. Stables Inc. and Louis Gonzalez has the riding call.

Magg's Choice was beaten for the first time in her four career starts by a head in the Angenora Stakes. A quick 3-year-old Mercer Mill filly, Magg's Choice won the six-furlong Royal North Stakes at Beulah Park two starts back. She can be expected to set the pace, and if allowed to set soft fractions, she is capable of wiring this field. Victor Urieta-Moran will ride for trainer Tim Hamm.