BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Third behind multiple stakes-winner Spirit Doll and multiple stakes-placed Florida-bred Laigina last out in the $96,000 Honey Ryder on the Gulfstream Park turf, Florida-bred Classic Move shifts back to a synthetic course Saturday for the Grade 3 Selene Stakes at Woodbine. Seven 3-year-old fillies will race a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the main all-weather track in the CAN$150,000 Selene.
With a victory, Classic Move would earn a $5,000 Export Incentive paid by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association to breeders George and Karen Russell’s Rustlewood Farm located in Reddick, Florida.
Classic Move won a mile-and-70-yard maiden special weight for fillies on the Gulfstream synthetic course in her third start on March 21, taking the lead a half mile out and winning by a length-and-a-quarter.
Trainer Mark Casse sent her into stakes company for her next start on May 2 when she led the one-mile Honey Ryder by a length-and-a-half through a half mile, battled with Laigina in the lane before Spirit Doll took over in deep stretch.
The reliable Classic Move has a win, a second and a third in four career starts while earning $74,660 for Hugh and Valerie Dailey’s Blue Crevalle Racing, Jackie Ventura’s Rocky Top Stable, James Ventura and Tina Casse’s Quintessential Racing Florida.
A two-time graduate of Ocala Breeders’ Sales, Classic Drive was purchased for $57,000 out of Hal Hatch’s Halcyon Hammock Farm consignment at the 2025 March Sale. She also sold for $29,000 at the 2024 OBS Winter Mixed Sale where Fast Bird Equine selected her out of the Summerfield consignment of Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck.
Classic Move is 6-1 in on the morning line and Romero Maragh has the riding task from post five.
Dixie Law looks for her second consecutive stakes victory and third in four starts over the Woodbine main track for trainer Dale Desruisseaux and owner Hillsbrook Farm. The bay daughter of Tiz the Law won the seven-furlong Ring Angel presented by Ketel One (Listed) on May 16 and the Grade 3 Mazarine going a mile-and-a-sixteenth in November. She also won the CAN$250,500 Cup and Saucer over a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the Woodbine turf in October.
Dixie Law has won four of six career starts while banking $289,757.
Rafael Hernandez will ride Dixie Law from post one and they are the 2-1 morning line favorites.
Rounding out the field are Luster with jockey Fraser Aebly, Bold Time with Eswan Flores up, Ryan Munger rides Katie’s Grace, Lake Louise has Emma-Jayne Wilson named to ride and Alex Achard will pilot Tulip.
Classic Move could join a distinguished list of Florida-bred winners of the Selene that includes Sabatini (2024), Our Flash Drive (2021), Two Sixty (2020), Dark Ending (2001) and Lady Beverly (1998).
Return to the June 26 issue of Wire to Wire
