Classic Q holds on in Churchill Distaff Turf Mile

Ten years after sending out Hall of Famer Tepin to repeat in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2), Mark Casse won Saturday’s $976,000 renewal when Classic Q scored a new career high at Churchill Downs. 

By Casse’s champion Classic Empire, who was a troubled fourth in the 2017 Kentucky Derby (G1), Classic Q had been knocking on the proverbial door in graded stakes. It was fitting that the gray filly broke through here, considering that she set the course record for the mile on the Matt Winn turf last year. 

Classic Q has a tendency to overdo things early, so Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez tried to keep her settled. The 6.81-1 chance consented to sit in second as Italian Soiree went forward through an opening quarter in :24.26. Although Classic Q headed her passing the half-mile in :47.93, Velazquez managed to ration her speed to the six-furlong mark in 1:11.72.

Swinging for home, Velazquez turned her loose, and Classic Q delivered the decisive burst. Portfolio Duration, the 2.06-1 favorite who had been tracking in a ground-saving spot, took too long to accelerate. She did cut the deficit late, but ran out of ground.

Classic Q held on by a neck in 1:34.71 and returned $15.62. Her course record of 1:32.91 had come in a different scenario, rallying from off a sprint-like pace in an April 30, 2025 allowance.

Owned by Gary Barber, Blue Crevalle Racing, and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Classic Q is now a millionaire with $1,074,865 in earnings from her 14-4-3-1 line. She earned her first stakes victory by wiring last summer’s Wild Applause S. at Saratoga. Her ensuing placings include the Lake George (G3), Valley View (G2), Mrs. Revere (G2), and the Feb. 28 Honey Fox (G3) in her latest at Gulfstream Park.

“It's so rewarding,” Casse said of Classic Q’s graded laurel. “She's run so hard so many times. I'm so grateful we're able to get the job done in this race. She likes it here. She really likes the shorter turns.”

Velazquez explained how he orchestrated the winning trip.

“I tried to rate her, but she started getting aggressive and throwing her head,” the Hall of Famer noted. “I decided just to take a long hold and see how long I could hold it. I waited until the quarter pole and she spurted away, which was enough to win it.”

Portfolio Duration ran as if she’d appreciate stepping up in trip, as jockey Flavien Prat indicated to trainer Chad Brown. 

 “It was a good race for me,” Prat said. “My horse ran well.  I told Chad that I think she’ll run better when we go up to New York. The races are longer up there, and I think that will suit her better.”

Pin Up Betty, who just missed by a neck in last year’s edition, closed for third. Movin’ On Up was another head back in fourth, followed by Vina Arana, Sweet Rebecca, Temptable, Maggie Go, and Italian Soiree.

Classic Q was bred by Winning Bloodstock in Kentucky. Out of the Scat Daddy mare Lovely Em, she is a half-sister to stakes-placed Copper Em. This is the further family of Grade 1 winner Sweet Lulu.

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