Classier tops in the Los Alamitos Derby (G3)

2021 Los Alamitos Derby Day

Mike Smith celebrates aboard Classier after winning the 2021 Los Alamitos Derby

Date: 07/04/2021

The feature race on Independence Day at Los Alamitos was the $150,000 Los Alamitos Derby (G3). Originally scheduled for Saturday, the race failed to fill so it was moved to Sunday and reopened for entries, and the move worked as a field of 5 made final entry with no scratches. Conditions were excellent at the historic Orange County track with sunny skies and temperatures in the high 70’s. Defunded was sent off as the 3-5 favorite off his 2nd place finish in the Affirmed (G3) at Santa Anita after finishing 4th in both the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Pat Day Mile (G2). In to challenge him included 6-5 second choice and stablemate Classier, 3rd in the Affirmed after finishing 8th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), and 11-1 third choice Ingest, a close 4th in the Snow Chief for California-breds last out. Due to the short field, show wagering was cancelled.

Down the stretch in the 2021 Los Alamitos Derby with Classier and Defunded out front and a long way back to third place.

Jockey Mike Smith sent Classier to the lead first time by and he set fractions of 22.98, 47.01, and 1:11.08 while pressed by 28-1 longest shot It’s My House and stalked by Defunded. Turning for home, Classier continued to lead through 1 mile in 1:36.28. Defunded put in a strong late rally under Abel Cedillo but Classier held him off to win by a nose in 1:49.15. It was a long 14 lengths back to Ingest third.

Pgm  Horse                 Jockey        Win  Place  Show
 1   Classier            Smith          4.60   2.20   -  
 3   Defunded            Cedillo               2.10   -  
 5   Ingest              Hernandez                    -  

Winning Time:  1:49.15

$1 Exacta 1-3                 3.30
$1 Trifecta 1-3-5             9.60

Left: Classier in the winner’s circle. Winning trainer Bob Baffert, celebrating his 5th straight Los Alamitos Derby win, said, “I wasn’t going to run (Classier) in this race. 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 (:47 1/5 half-mile July 1 at Santa Anita), so we decided to go.”

Right: Classier heads back to the barn after the race. Winning jockey Mike Smith said, “I waited until the eighth pole to ask him 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.”

Left: Classier in the paddock before the race. Baffert added, “I really thought and (jockey Abel Cedillo) thought Defunded had him the whole way. 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. We thought he’d be on the lead last time, but he stumbled leaving the gate and he really needed the race (the Grade 3 Affirmed June 13). 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.”

Right: Classier in the post parade.

Left: Second place finisher and beaten favorite Defunded in the post parade. The Bob Baffert trainee improved his record to 1 win, 2 seconds, and 1 third in 6 starts, earning $170,700 for owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman.

Right: Third place finisher Ingest returns after the race. The Doug O’Neill trainee improved his record to 1 win, 0 seconds, and 2 thirds in 10 starts, earning $76,180 for owners Grant Alvernaz and Steve Ribeiro.

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