Classy Edition a rising star for freshman sire Classic Empire

Since the last installment in our series showcasing the first crop by Classic Empire, the champion has been represented by his first two stakes winners.

Although she's caught off tracks in her first two starts, the Todd Pletcher-trained Classy Edition looks to have a world of talent, regardless of surface condition.

After a 6 3/4-length debut score against New York-breds at Saratoga on Sept. 5, Classy Edition hammered a field of six by eight lengths in the $150,000 Joseph A. Gimma S. at Belmont Park on Sept. 24. She was ridden in both starts by Irad Ortiz Jr., and earned an 82 Brisnet Speed rating for the stakes score.

Not only did Pletcher surprise long-time observers by wheeling back Classy Edition on a relatively short 19 days' rest for the Joseph Gimma, but suggested after the race that the filly would likely to stick to state-restricted races for the immediate future.

Classy Edition is likely to point for the $200,000 Maid of the Mist S. over a mile at Belmont on Oct. 30, though the $150,000 Tempted S., an open race Pletcher has won a record five times, will be held over the same distance the following week at Aqueduct on Nov. 5.

Bred by Chester and Mary Broman and owned by long-time Pletcher clients Robert and Lowana Low, Classy Edition is the second stakes winner produced by the Bernardini mare Newbie. The other, another New York-bred specialist, was the Central Banker filly Newly Minted.

Classic Empire's first stakes winner was a horse previously mentioned in this series, First Empire. Based at Woodbine for trainer Mark Casse, First Empire followed up his maiden win with a 1 3/4-length triumph in the Aug. 21 Soaring Free S., a 6 1/2-furlong turf dash.

First Empire make a logical next step to graded company in the Sept. 19 Summer S. (G1) at Woodbine over a mile on the turf. Ridden again by Patrick Husbands, First Empire sped off to an early three-length lead, but the attempt to harness his speed through fractions more moderate than those set in the Soaring Free did not pan out. First Empire dropped back through the long straight and finished fourth, beaten six lengths by European invader Albahr.

Through Oct. 3, Classic Empire has sired 11 winners from 35 starters.