Classic Q Makes the Grade in Distaff Turf Mile

If you are the company you keep, Classic Q's victory in the $976,000 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes (G2T) May 2 was more of a foregone conclusion than the product of fate. Having spent most of her career knocking up against some of the more accomplished turf distaffers of her generation, the daughter of Classic Empire had repeatedly found herself on the podium but out of the winner's circle in her eight prior tries in graded stakes races. Facing a field that featured a solid if not top-level proven slate of contenders, the Mark Casse-trained filly ended her streak of futility when she bested Portfolio Duration (GB) by a neck to annex the 1-mile test on the undercard of the 152nd Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs. The past performance lines may have shown Classic Q was coming into the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile on a six-race losing skid, but they also displayed what kind of iron she had been sharpening her form against. When she was beaten in the Honey Fox Stakes (G3T) Feb. 28 at Gulfstream Park, the horse three-quarters of a length in front of her was grade 1 winner Lush Lips (GB), the same Lush Lips who bested her in the Mrs. Revere Stakes (G2T) last November. Her other conquerors during that skid included eventual champion female sprinter Shisospicy and graded stakes winners Admit and Destino d'Oro. After making a move to the lead just before the half-mile mark Saturday, Classic Q was resolute in not letting another rival snatch this spoil from her. "She was looking for Lush Lips, but she wasn't there," joked Casse, who notched his third victory in the race. "This one is special. It was rewarding. She's run so hard so many times. She likes it here and she likes the short turns. We worked her here the other day and they sent me the video and I said, 'She's a machine.'" Casse originally purchased Classic Q for his wife, Tina, and their friend, Hugh Dailey of Blue Crevalle Racing, but later sold that share to Gary Barber and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. After watching their filly Meaning have to settle for place honors in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) less than 24 hours earlier, the Eclipse Thoroughbred team was more than ready to uncork some celebratory moves over the Churchill track. "She's been knocking on the door at this level. Mark has done an incredible job developing her," said Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. "Lush Lips beat her right on the wire last time at Gulfstream. We thought maybe today would be her day." Classic Q was happy to oblige. After taking up residence in second just off the flank of early pacesetter Italian Soiree through the opening quarter-mile in :24.26, Classic Q let jockey John Velazquez know she could wait no more down the backstretch, sticking her head in front as they reached the half in :47.93 and getting some separation from her rivals as she reached the far turn. As she came off the turn and set down for the stretch drive, Classic Q had enough in reserve to open up by a couple lengths, a margin that would need every inch as Portfolio Duration emerged from the pack and came with a late kick under Flavien Prat. Game as that surge was, it would be in vain with Classic Q holding on to hit the wire in 1:34.71. "I tried to rate her but she started getting aggressive and throwing her head," Velazquez said. "I decided just to take a long hold and see how long I could hold it. I waited until the quarter pole and she spurted away, which was enough to win it." Portfolio Duration held for second with Pin Up Betty in third. "It was a good race for me. My horse ran well," Prat said of his mount. "I told Chad (trainer Chad Brown) that I think she'll run better when we go up to New York. The races are longer up there, and I think that will suit her better." Bred in Kentucky by Winning Bloodstock, Classic Q improved her record to four wins from 14 starts while earning her first victory since taking the Wild Applause Stakes last July at Saratoga Race Course.