Classic Causeway rolls in Tampa Bay Derby

Mar 12, 2022 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

Classic Causeway continued to burnish his Kentucky Derby
credentials in Saturday’s $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2), dominating the Championship
Series qualifier on the lead. Irad Ortiz Jr. was up on the odds-on favorite,
who has now recorded two straight convincing stakes wins at Tampa Bay Downs.

Owned and bred by Kentucky West Racing and Clarke M. Cooper,
Classic Causeway was exiting a 3 3/4-length tally in the Feb. 12 Sam F. Davis
(G3). The chestnut colt scored by 2 1/2 lengths in the Tampa Bay Derby, and he’s
improved upon his juvenile form, recording a third in the Breeders’ Futurity
(G1) at Keeneland and a second in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill
Downs last fall.

Classic Causeway has now assured himself a spot in the Kentucky Derby with 66 qualifying points, adding 50 to his ledger for the Tampa Bay Derby.

Trainer Brian Lynch indicated the Blue Grass S. (G2) at
Keeneland on April 7, a major qualifier awarding 170 combined points towards a
berth in the May 7 Kentucky Derby, likely would be next for the chestnut colt.

Classic Causeway broke on top and led by about a length through opening fractions in :23.67, :48.17, and 1:13.18, traveling well in-hand for
Ortiz, who was still sitting chilly turning for home. Classic Causeway widened
his advantage when called upon and cruised to the wire,
completing the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:44.90.

Grantham, who tracked the pacesetter from the start at 37-1,
outfinished 9-2 third choice Shipsational by a neck for second. It was another
neck back to Golden Glider in fourth. Trademark, Spin Wheel, Belgrade, Giant
Game, Happy Boy Rocket, and Major General completed the order of finish.

From the last crop of three-time leading sire Giant’s
Causeway, Kentucky-bred Classic Causeway is out of the stakes-winning Private
World, a daughter of 1995 Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch.