Classic Q Confirmed Her Evolution and Reached Glory in the Just a Game
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The daughter of Classic Empire dominated from gate to wire at Saratoga to secure her first G1 victory and cap off a dream weekend for Mark Casse, who had already won the Acorn and the Ogden Phipps
SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special to Turf Diario).– Mark Casse's extraordinary weekend at Saratogaadded another memorable chapter this Saturday when Classic Q displayed all her speed to win the Just a Game Stakes(G1) from gate to wire, contested over a turf mile and with a $500,000 purse.
The daughter of Classic Empire found in John Velazquez the ideal partner to execute a perfect strategy. Following a swift break, she engaged in a brief battle for the lead with the favorite Segesta (Ghostzapper), but quickly took control of the actions and was never caught again.
With fractions of 23s62/100, 47s17/100, 1m10s9/100, and 1m21s27/100, the defender of the colors of Gary Barber, Blue Crevalle Racing, and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners intelligently rationed her energies, and when the challenges arrived in the homestretch, she still retained sufficient reserves to respond.
The French filly Mandanaba (Ghaiyyath), arrived from Europe with high expectations, attempted to threaten her in the decisive meters, while Segesta came back to the charge along the inside. However, Classic Q maintained her stride and crossed the wire with a 1 1/4-length advantage, completing the distance in an excellent time of 1m32s84/100 over a firm track.
Mandanaba had to settle for second place, while Segesta, Chad Brown's main card, finished third.
"When I saw that they had passed the half-mile in 47 seconds, I thought it was going to take a really special mare to catch her," Casse commented. "I kept repeating to Tina (his wife): 'Johnny is waiting, Johnny is waiting.' He knows this mare perfectly and knows how to ride her."
The trainer additionally recalled the long road traveled by his pupil before reaching this level: "She always had a tremendous amount of talent. The incredible thing is that she had to undergo surgery on both ankles before even making her debut. That is why she started her campaign so late. What she has achieved since then is truly extraordinary," he explained.
Acquired for just $40,000 at the Keeneland September 2023 sales, Classic Q continues to multiply her value on the racetrack. With this new success, she raised her earnings to $1,349,865, the product of a campaign that now shows 5 victories, 3 seconds, and 1 third from 15 outings.
The victory arrived just five weeks after having captured the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes (G2) during the Kentucky Derby (G1) card, also under the guidance of Velazquez.
"The trip worked out exactly as we had envisioned," the veteran rider explained. "I expected her to break well and be able to dominate. I tried to economize as much as possible to have something left at the end. It's very nice when the plan works out that way."
For Casse, the triumph held additional value. It was his third G1 of the weekend at Saratoga, following the resounding victories of Counting Stars (Honor A. P.) in the Acorn Stakes (G1) and of Nitrogen (Medaglia D'Oro) in the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1).
"I have been coming to Saratoga since I was ten years old," the trainer recalled with emotion. "My father used to bring me and I would spend hours watching races from the grandstands because we didn't have a box. Saratoga has been part of my life since I was a boy. Being able to experience a weekend like this here is something truly incredible."
And with Classic Q definitively transformed into an elite mare, Casse's dream at the Spa continues to add golden chapters.
