Classic Causeway was first from the gate in the $400,000 Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2) Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs and maintained control throughout to win by 2 1/2 lengths and stamp himself as an early favorite for the Kentucky Derby (G1) this spring.
The son of Giant's Causeway moved to the top of the Kentucky Derby leaderboard upon earning 50 qualifying points for the Louisville classic May 7 at Churchill Downs. He has 66 total points, two more than Epicenter at 64.
Updated Kentucky Derby leaderboard
Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. for trainer Brian Lynch, Classic Causeway cruised through fractions of :23.67 the opening quarter mile and :48.17 for a half mile before getting the six furlongs in 1:13.18 with runner-up Grantham and Giant Game in pursuit. He bounded toward the finish line unchallenged to tally by 2 1/2 lengths while covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.90.
“He's just come into his own right now and just to watch him, he seems like a happy horse that enjoys his job,” Lynch said. “He's very, very good right now. He has always been a very good gate horse and he's a horse that actually loves the gate and is excited to walk into it. And as soon as they pop, he's off. That early speed is a great asset to have because you're going to stay out of trouble when you can break fast and clear. When you have a horse that can run them off their feet early, get a chance to take a breather and relax and still be able to finish, that is a great asset in a horse.”
Grantham held on for second, a neck in front of Shipsational in third, with Golden Ginger fourth in the field of 10.
The second, third and fourth finishers received 20, 10 and five Kentucky Derby qualifying points, respectively.
The 4-5 favorite, Classic Causeway is 2 for 2 this season after launching his 2022 campaign with victory in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) Feb. 12 at Tampa. He improved his career line to 3-1-1 from five starts, his record also including a third in the 2021 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland Race Course and second in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs, both last fall.
“He gave me the same performance again (as in the Sam F. Davis),” Ortiz said of Classic Causeway. “He broke good. He gave me good position and I just went from there. He was traveling perfect all the way to the three-eighths-mile pole. When I asked him, he was there. Getting close to the wire, he was looking around a little bit, but I felt I had a lot more horse. He's acting like he can carry his speed more. These last couple of races he's been acting after the wire like he still has more left. I don't want to jinx it, but I think there is something more there.”
Classic Causeway, whose earnings stand at $511,100, races as a homebred for Kentucky West Racing and Clarke M. Cooper Family Living Trust. His dam is the Thunder Gulch mare Private World.
Grantham and Shipsational's connections were not disappointed in their horses' efforts.
“He ran super,” trainer Michael Maker said of Grantham. “I'll talk it over with the connections and see, but I don't see why we won't go on from here and move forward. I think a very good horse beat us today so I have no complaints. He gave us everything he had today.”
Luis Saez, aboard Grantham, added: “He ran a big race. I was riding him from the half-mile pole and I thought he'd get a little tired, but he kept going. He kept trying.”
Edward Barker, trainer of Shipsational, said: “He lost a little too much ground, but I think he ran as good as he can run. We'll be alright. We'll come back and get another race, and we'll get the (Road to the Kentucky Derby) points. I'm not disappointed by the way he ran. He's a nice colt who tries hard all the time.”
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