Classier Edges Defunded in Los Alamitos Derby

Bob Baffert, who going into the July 4 Los Alamitos Derby (G3) had won the race a record 10 times, extended that figure to 11 as his two entrants, Classier  and Defunded , finished one-two in the $150,000 race for 3-year-olds at Los Alamitos.

Classier took revenge on his stablemate for the June 13 Affirmed Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park. In that race, Defunded had finished second and Classier third behind winner The Chosen Vron , who did not compete in the Los Alamitos Derby.

In the 1 1/8-mile Los Alamitos Derby, Mike Smith piloted Classier, a son of Empire Maker—Class Will Tell, by Bernardini  , for the first time. Smith put the colt on the lead early from the getgo and the pair dictated all the pace, setting splits of :22.98, :47.01, and 1:11.08.

Defunded, ridden by Abel Cedillo, ranged up alongside Classier in the second turn and the two Baffert runners battled throughout the stretch, drawing well away from the rest of the field. Defunded kept trying to get his nose in front of Classier, but Classier gamely held him off, edging his stablemate by a nose under the wire. The pair finished 14 lengths in front of third-place Ingest .

The nine furlongs was run in 1: 49.15 on a fast track.

"I waited until the eighth pole to ask him," said Smith, "and when he saw (Defunded), he really dug in. This is a big colt with a lot to him, and he is going to get even better.''

With no show wagering, Classier, the 13-10 second choice, paid $4.60 to win and $2.20 to place, while Defunded, the 3-5 favorite, paid $2.10 to place. The Baffert exacta was worth $3.30 on a $1 ticket.

SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Golconda Stables, Siena Farm, and Robert E. Masterson own Classier, who scored first time out by four lengths last October at Santa Anita. Unplaced in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) in his second trip to the post, Classier made his 3-year-old debut in the Affirmed.

Baffert said that initially he was going to pass the Los Alamitos Derby with Classier.

"I talked to the ownership group and told them I was going to work him and if he worked well I'd run him," said the trainer. "He worked very well (a :47 1/5 half-mile July 1 at Santa Anita), so we decided to go."

Baffert said that both he and Cedillo thought Defunded would get by Classier.

"It was pretty exciting, and I was really hoping for a dead heat because I've always wanted one of those in a stakes so you don't have to make that other call," Baffert said. "We thought he'd be on the lead last time, but he stumbled leaving the gate and he really needed the race. He's going to improve off this.''

Mary Sullivan bred Classier in Kentucky. Sullivan bought the winner's dam, Class Will Tell, as a yearling for $300,000. The Bernardini daughter won once before she was retired but seems off to a better start as a broodmare. Her family also points to strong potential for her progeny down the road. Class Will Tell is a half sister to group 3-placed winner Music Chart (by Exchange Rate) and to winner Chiquita Picosa (by Congaree), who is the dam of grade 1-placed, multiple graded stakes winner Homerique  (by Exchange Rate). Class Will Tell's dam, Conchita, is a half sister to group 1 winner White Moonstone and to group 2-placed stakes winner Albasharah.

Classier is Class Will Tell's second foal. SF Racing, Starlight, and Madaket bought the bay colt for $775,000 at 2019 Keeneland September yearling sale from consignor Lantern Hill Farm, where Sullivan keeps her mares. Class Will Tell has a 2-year-old colt by Tiznow named Tizatell that has not started and a yearling filly by Union Rags   named Class Colors. The mare foaled a colt by More Than Ready   this year.

The Los Alamitos Derby was originally scheduled for July 3, but failed to draw sufficient entries. Rescheduled for July 4, it attracted a field of five—Baffert's two, Ingest, It's My House , and Back Ring Luck .

Video: Los Alamitos Derby (G3)