Classier

Classier, a son of Empire Maker trained by Bob Baffert, won his debut in October 2020 by an impressive four lengths in a 6 ½-furlong race at Santa Anita Park. He was promptly elevated in class for his next start but ran sixth in the Grade 1 TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, and was then away from the races until spring 2021.

Classier finished third in Grade 3 Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita in June – his 3-year-old debut – but was 11 lengths behind stablemate and runner-up Defunded. Based on that effort, he went off as the 13-10 second betting choice behind Defunded in the Grade 3 Los Alamitos Derby on July 4. Classier showed encouraging development in his second start of the year, setting the pace under Mike Smith and fending off a stretch challenge from 3-5 Defunded to pick up his first stakes win in the Los Al Derby by a nose.

Classier was bought for $775,000 as a yearling at the Keeneland September sale by  SF Racing, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables. Golconda Stables, Siena Farm and Robert Masterson are also part of his ownership group. He is out of the winning Bernardini mare Class Will Tell and from the family of Group 1 winner White Moonstone and Grade 2 winner Homerique.