Classic Causeway Returns to the Dirt in Essex

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/13/2023 - 15:13
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Classic Causeway Returns to the Dirt in Essex
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Joe Labozzetta
Classic Causeway returns to the winner's circle after his victory in the 2022 Belmont Derby Invitational at Belmont Park

In a surprising move from trainer Kenny McPeek, Kentucky West Racing and Clarke 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 switch 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 Stakes (G3).

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Forza Di Oro, from the always dangerous Brad Cox barn, will look for his first graded score following consecutive third-placed efforts in stakes company at Fair Grounds both times behind Happy American  and Mr. Wireless .


Entries: Essex H. (G3)

Oaklawn Park, Saturday, March 18, 2023, Race 9

  • Grade III
  • 1 1/16m
  • Dirt
  • $500,000
  • 4 yo's & up
  • 4:54 PM (local)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 Silver Prospector (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Ricardo Santana, Jr. 118 Steven M. Asmussen -
2 Vittorio (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Martin Garcia 116 William I. Mott -
3 Rated R Superstar (KY) David Cabrera 118 Martin Villafranco -
4 Call Me Fast (KY) Francisco Arrieta 116 Michael Puhich -
5 Classic Causeway (KY) Flavien Prat 119 Kenneth G. McPeek -
6 Necker Island (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Nik Juarez 118 Chris A. Hartman -
7 Forza Di Oro (KY) Florent Geroux 117 Brad H. Cox -
8 Tawny Port (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Rafael Bejarano 117 Brad H. Cox -
9 Keystone Field (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Isaac Castillo 116 Michael J. Maker -
10 Last Samurai (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Cristian A. Torres 121 D. Wayne Lukas -