Santa Anita: Class Included commits to Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic

ARCADIA, Calif. – The longest shot in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic field posted the day’s fastest half-mile workout Sunday at Santa Anita.

Class Included blazed in 47 seconds under Joe Steiner, fastest of 65 works at the distance. Afterward, trainer Jim Penney and assistant Kay Cooper confirmed the Emerald Downs-based filly will enter the $2 million Ladies’ Classic rather than the Filly and Mare Sprint.

[BREEDERS' CUP WORKOUTS: Full DRF coverage, Mike Welsch video reports]

The workout by Class Included was an improvement over her initial Santa Anita workout, five furlongs Oct. 22 in 1:01.60.

“In her first work, she was kind of floundering and did not handle it well,” Penney said. “They re-shod her, and made some minor adjustments, and she bounced back.”

Class Included, 10 for 16 with six runner-up finishes, will be starting for the first time at a track other than Emerald Downs or Hastings Racecourse.

Three other Ladies’ Classic pre-entrants also worked a half-mile Sunday including likely favorite Royal Delta, who went in 48.80 breezing, at Belmont. Undefeated Awesome Feather also worked at Belmont, 48.40, breezing.

My Miss Aurelia, the unbeaten filly who has trained in outstanding fashion the past few weeks at Santa Anita, posted a maintenance-type workout in 48 seconds.

Eight entrants are expected for the Ladies’ Classic – Royal Delta, Awesome Feather, Questing, Love and Pride, My Miss Aurelia, Grace Hall, Include Me Out, and Class Included. The other pre-entrant, In Lingerie, is expected to enter the Filly and Mare Turf.