BY BROCK SHERIDAN
The last time Classic of Course raced a mile, he won the $70,000 Awesome Banner overnight handicap as the 122-pound co-high weight at Gulfstream Park in November. Patrick Biancone, who trains Classic of Course and co-owns the 4-year-old Florida-bred with Amy E. Dunne of Ocala, Florida, has him back in a one-turn mile Saturday for the $70,000 Black Diamond Cat overnight handicap for seven 3-year-olds and older at Gulfstream.
Classic of Course is cross-entered in a $62,500 optional claiming set for six-and-a-half furlongs Monday at Gulfstream.
The Black Diamond Cat presents a rematch between Alex and JoAnn Lieblong’s Viking and Classic of Course, who were first and second respectively in the $82,000 Smile Sprint (Listed) run at six furlongs at Gulfstream on July 4. Saint George Stables’ Relondo, who was fifth in the Smile, also returns for the Black Diamond Cat.
Classic of Course and Relonda also met two starts back on June 6 at Gulfstream, in the $79,000 Big Drama Handicap. Rolando took that seven-furlong contest with Classic of Course fourth.
In four other starts this year, Classic of Course was second to multiple graded stakes-winner Damon’s Mound in the $100,000 FHBPA Sprint for Florida-breds in April, fourth versus Florida-breds in both the $75,000 Sunshine Turf in January at Gulfstream and in the $108,000 NYRA Bets Sprint at Tampa Bay Downs on March 29; and fifth in the $105,000 Silks Run (Listed) sprinting on the Gulfstream Park grass on March 7.
His career record reflects four wins, five seconds and five thirds in 23 starts while earning $464,816. He is by Awesome of Course out of Alma Mater, by Honor Code and was bred in Florida by Amy E. and Ciaran G. Dunne of Ocala.
He is the second choice on the morning line at 7-2 and this will be the first time J. G. Torrealba will have the riding assignment on Classic of Course. They have post two.
Trainer David Fawkes will give a leg up to Leonel Reyes on Viking, the 8-5 morning line favorite, while Fausto Gutierrez has named Diego Herrera to ride Rolando, the 9-2 third choice in the program. Rolando has post one while Viking will start from gate three.
Florida-bred Awesome Train is also set for the Black Diamond Cat for owner by Briannjenn Racing.
Awesome Train looks for his initial win in four starts this year and first since scoring in a $12,500 starter allowance, $20,000 optional claiming going a mile at Gulfstream in December.
The 5-year-old Awesome Train makes his first start since May 31 when fifth in an upper tier, $62,500 optional claiming going a mile-and-a-sixteenth at Gulfstream on May 31.
Awesome Train has earned $250,455 from six wins, five seconds and four thirds in 29 lifetime races. He is by Ocala Stud stallion Awesome Slew out of Selective Memory, by Malibu Moon and was bred in Florida by Belvedere Farm.
Antonio Sano has given the riding assignment to Anthony Thomas and they will depart post seven. Awesome Train is 15-1 on the morning line.
Rounding out the field are Divin Propos (Fr) and jockey Rasheed Hughes, Samy Camacho will guide Steal Sunshine and Miguel Vasquez has the call on Fiveeyesonskystars.
Return to the July 31 issue of Wire to Wire
