Just a Game Recap: All The Way

Classic Q streaks to victory in Saturday’s turf stakes. (Samantha Decker Photo)

By Darby O’Brien

Trainer Mark Casse raised a triumphant fist as he stood along the rail of Saratoga Race Course’s winner’s circle to watch Classic Q roll home.

Three fillies. Three Grade 1s.

Not a bad two days in the office.

“I’ve been coming here since I was 10,” said Casse in the winner’s circle, his newest Grade 1 winner walking to the test barn. “I just wish my dad was here. I used to stand, we didn’t have a box, and I would stand for races and races to watch. Saratoga has been my life since I was a little boy. It’s been my dream. To be able to accomplish this weekend? Quite amazing.”

Casse saddled Acorn winner Counting Stars and Ogden Phipps winner Nitrogen, recipient of the Eclipse Award for champion 3-year-old filly last year, on Friday’s card. Saturday was all about Classic Q, winner of the $500,000 Just A Game Stakes on the turf.

The Classic Empire filly settled herself on the lead early under John Velazquez as the field cruised into the first turn. Favored Segesta settled to her outside, while French-import and second choice Mandanaba tucked into third along the rail with Sandtrap to her outside. After a moderate opening quarter in :23.62, Classic Q showed the way by a length through the backstretch. Velazquez continued to sit patient through the half in :47.17.

“I knew at :47 and 2 that it was going to take something special to beat her,” said Casse, who watched the 1-mile stakes alongside his wife Tina. “I kept telling Tina, ‘Johnny’s waiting, Johnny’s waiting.’ ”

At the top of the stretch, Classic Q and Velazquez were done waiting.

Segesta challenged to the outside, but Classic Q held the lead, staying in front as Mandanaba snuck up the rail in pursuit. Classic Q refused to yield, rolling home by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:32.84. Mandanaba finished second with Segesta third.

“That trip was about what we expected,” said Velazquez, “I was expecting that she’d break well, that she’d be on the lead. I tried to save her the best I could, so I’d have something left to ask for. It’s nice when it works out that way.”

Velazquez rode Classic Q to a similar victory in the Grade 2 Distaff Turf Mile on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs. She also led throughout and held off Portfolio Duration, winner of Friday’s Grade 1 New York Stakes, by a neck.

“This one was eventful, too,” Casse said, noting the filly’s antics in the paddock. “She did her own flyover when the flyover came. When the planes came over she went crazy. Then when she got out on the track she wouldn’t move … She’s just extremely ornery. [Velazquez] said she was being so good and when they loaded the last horse she started acting up. Then, when she breaks, you can’t rush her or she’ll run off. He gets along with her. She wants to show her speed, but when you cluck to her there’s no slowing her down. He knows her well.”

Velazquez rode Classic Q for the third straight time in the Just A Game, following a second in the Grade 3 Honey Fox in late February at Gulfstream Park and the Distaff Turf Mile. Prior to the Distaff Turf Mile, Classic Q’s most recent win came in the Wild Applause Stakes in July at Saratoga. She then suffered six consecutive losses in graded stakes company, placing in all but two of those starts, against the likes of Breeders’ Cup winner Shisospicy, Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf winner Destino D’Oro and multiple graded stakes winner Lush Lips.

“She’s always been talented,” Casse said. “She’s amazing. She had double ankle surgery before she ever made her first start. It’s why she was so late in getting started, and she’s just been unbelievable.”

Originally a $40,000 yearling at the Keeneland September sale, Classic Q is now owned by Gary Barber, Blue Crevalle Racing and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. She picked up $275,000 for the Just A Game victory to pad her bankroll to $1,349,865 from a record of 5-3-1 in 15 career starts.