Robert and Lawana Low's Classy Edition, second to Kathleen O. in last year's Davona Dale (G2), turned the tables on the 4-5 favorite in Saturday's $150,000 Royal Delta (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
The Royal Delta, a 1 1/16-mile stakes for older fillies and mares, is named in honor of the Hall of Fame three-time Eclipse Award champion who captured six Grade 1 stakes for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott during a career spanning 2010-2013.
Classy Edition, the even-money second choice ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., obtained a tactical advantage over the Shug McGaughey-trained 4-5 favorite while stalking early pacesetter Jungle Juice during dawdling fractions of :25.28 and :50.15 for the first half mile.
“I was pretty pleased,” Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher said. “We got to a good spot and it looked like Irad had a lot of horse, just waiting to pull the trigger.”
Kathleen O., who won three stakes last season at Gulfstream, got away a bit slowly from the starting gate and raced sixth of seven horses along the backstretch. As Classy Edition moved seemingly effortlessly to the pacesetter on the far turn, Javier Castellano had gotten Kathleen O.'s run underway. The favorite passed horses with a wide sweep to enter contention on the turn into the homestretch, but Classy Edition was able to kick clear on fresh legs and continued on to register a comfortable 1¾-length victory.
“She was going good on the backside. We were going slow but she was close to the lead,” Ortiz said. “I let her do her thing and she did the rest.”
Classy Edition ($4.20) ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.15 to register her fifth victory in seven career starts. Kathleen O. finished second, four lengths clear of Don't Get Khozy.
Classy Edition made an impressive return from a nine-month layoff to win a mile optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream Jan. 11 by 5 ¼ lengths.
“We really thought highly of her. She showed quality. She ran a good second in the race here and then needed some time off,” Pletcher said. “She came back really well. I thought her comeback race was excellent. We kind of had a little tactical edge today and she was able to get it done.”
Kathleen O., who had finished a close second in the Nov. 25 Comely (G3) at Aqueduct, had outfinished Classy Edition to win last year's seven-furlong Davona Dale by two lengths but was unable to make a serious run in the stretch Saturday.
“She ran really well. Unfortunately, it was a slow pace — :25, :50.,” Kathleen O.'s jockey Javier Castellano said. “For a come-from-behind horse it was too much to ask.”
New York-bred Classy Edition is from the first crop of Ashford Stud stallion Classic Empire, who had another graded stakes winner later Saturday at Fair Grounds when 3-year-old colt Angel of Empire captured the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds.
Bred by Chester Broman & Mary R. Broman, Classy Edition was produced by the Bernardini mare Newbie. Offered by Sequel Bloodstock at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Eastern 2-year-olds in training sale, she sold to the Lows for $550,000.
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