BY BROCK SHERIDAN

After scratching into the field, Florida-bred Classic Move took the opportunity to win a $76,600 maiden special weight by a length-and-a-quarter at Gulfstream Park Saturday. Trained by Mark Casse for Blue Crevalle Racing, Jackie Ventura’s Rocky Top Stable and Quintessential Racing Florida, Classic Move won by a length-and-a-quarter as the lone Florida-bred among the ten 3-year-old fillies who went a mile-and-70-yards on the all-weather course.

Classic Move started well from post nine but had to navigate the clubhouse turn from the three path as longshots Fashion Quest and Keepsake Box got the inside track. Two lengths back in third early, Classic Move got closer to frontrunning Fashion Quest after a :46.86 half-mile then shot to the lead while three wide in the second turn, taking a two length margin to the top of the stretch. Cool Times tried to challenge from second in the run for home but could not close in on Classic Move, who finished in 1:39.51. Cool Times was second with Pan Pan third.

Shot At Perfection, Enjoying, 6-5 favorite Cape Solution (Ire), Tap This Way, Keepsake Box and Fashion Quest completed the order of finish. Aporia, Friendship Sloop and Voluntary was scratched.

Classic Move paid $10.60 to win.

In her first start, Classic Move was second to next-out winner Sweet Ember in a five-furlong, $50,000 optional claiming maiden event on the all-weather course at Gulfstream on January 15. She then finished fourth after setting the pace in a one-mile maiden special weight on the turf on February 7.

By Classic Empire out of Morning Rush, by Unbridled’s Song, Classic Move was bred in Florida by George and Karen Russell’s Rustlewood Farm in Reddick. She has now earned $63,180 in her three starts.

She is a three-time graduate of the auction ring, selling first for $29,000 to Fast Bird Equine out of the Summerfield consignment of Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck at the 2024 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Winter Mixed Sale. She then did not meet her reserve eight months later at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Stretch Drive bought her for $57,000 out of Hal Hatch’s Halcyon Hammock Farm consignment at the 2025 OBS March Sale. Classic Move is a half-sister to stakes-placed Florida-bred Shoo Shine, who was third in the $110,000 Sophomore Stakes in 2021 at Tampa Bay Downs.

Return to the March 21 issue of Wire to Wire