Classier gives Baffert fifth straight Los Al Derby (G3)

Classier nosed out stablemate Defunded in a head-bobbing finish in Sunday’s $150,000 Los Alamitos Derby (G3) to give Bob Baffert his fifth consecutive win in the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds.

Classier set the early pace with fractions of :22.98 and :47.01 and was up two lengths on Defunded at the half-way point. Defunded crept closer around the turn and continued to cut into the margin through the stretch, but Classier dug in gamely and held off his foe by a nose in 1:49.15 on a fast track.

“I wasn’t going to run [Classier] in this race,” Baffert said. “I talked to the ownership group and told them I was going to work him and if he worked well I’d run him. He worked very well, so we decided to go. 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. I can take my time with him now and figure out a spot because he is bred to be superstar.” 

Classier is owned by the partnership of SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Golconda Stables, Siena Farm and Robert Masterson. Classier, third in the Affirmed S. (G3) last time out, is now 2-0-1 in four starts and has earned $155,000.