Classic Causeway Returns to the Dirt in Essex

In a surprising move from trainer Kenny McPeek, Kentucky West Racing and Clarke M. Cooper Family Living Trust's Classic Causeway is entered in the $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) March 18 at Oaklawn Park. The 4-year-old son of Giant's Causeway, a grade 1 turf winner for McPeek last summer, hasn't raced on the main track since finishing third in the Ohio Derby (G3) nine months ago. Classic Causeway was grade 1-placed as a juvenile and captured two graded stakes races at Tampa Bay Downs early in his sophomore campaign before being switched to the grass. A natural frontrunner, Classic Causeway will likely be on the lead in the 1 1/16-mile Essex, where he could get pressure from New Orleans shipper Forza Di Oro and Call Me Fast, who's won his last two starts in gate-to-wire fashion over the Oaklawn strip. Last seen fading to sixth in the Oct. 29 Bryan Station Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland, Classic Causeway has fired two straight five-furlong bullet works over the main track at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots heading into Saturday's race. Flavien Prat will be aboard Classic Causeway. Willis Horton Racing's Last Samurai, trained by D. Wayne Lukas, enters the Essex off a gallant victory in the Feb. 18 Razorback Handicap (G3). Forza Di Oro, from the always dangerous Brad Cox barn, will look for his second graded score following consecutive third-place efforts in stakes company at Fair Grounds, both times behind Happy American and Mr. Wireless.