Strut the Course tracks hot pace to blow by field in Classy 'n Smart

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – A razor-sharp Strut the Course ($4.40) came on strongly from off a hot pace to win the $125,400 Classy ’n Smart Stakes going away Sunday at Woodbine.

Strut the Course bided her time in seventh on the backstretch of the 1 1/16-mile route, while Moonlit Beauty was hounded through fractions of 23.38 seconds, 47.63, and 1:12.05.

Strut the Course loomed three-wide into contention on the far turn, then hit the front early in the stretch before kicking away to score by 7 1/2 lengths in a quick 1:42.53.

Silent Star rallied belatedly for second, while Pipers Future edged out Moonlit Beauty for third in the nine-horse field of Ontario-sired females.
Eurico Da Silva rode the Barb Minshall-trained Strut the Course, who earned $75,000 for owner John Unger.

“She was very relaxed today,” said Da Silva. “I tried not to ask her too early because she can get in the bridle very fast. I tied up the lines slowly, and she just picked it up by herself. She ran very nice.”

Minshall said the high-strung 4-year-old is just coming into her own this year.

“She’s developed a lot as a 4-year-old.” Minshall explained. “We take a lot of time with her, and she’s just settling and learning the game a little better with every race.”