Kentucky Derby Horse Report: Classic Causeway

Feb 16, 2022 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Kentucky West Racing and Clarke Cooper’s Classic Causeway earned 10 points on the 2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series following his impressive 3 3/4-length tally in the $200,000 Sam F. Davis S. (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs on February 12.

The three-year-old clocked 1 1/16 miles on the fast main surface in 1:42.80 with Irad Ortiz in the silks. His lifetime line now reads 4-2-1-1, $301,100.

'He broke good, so I just let him be free out there. I knew I had horse under me the whole time”, Ortiz said.

Shipsational, Volcanic, and Strike Hard rounded out the top four and garnered qualifying points on a 4-2-1 basis, respectively.

Trained by Brian Lynch, the son of Giant’s Causeway gave a fine impression of himself at first asking when blitzing a maiden special weight field at Saratoga on September 4, leading at every call en route to a sharp 6 1/2-length victory.

The chestnut colt traveled to Keeneland for his second assignment and led to the turn for home before ultimately finishing third in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) behind Rattle N Roll. He capped his solid juvenile campaign with a runner-up performance behind the impressive Smile Happy in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) at Churchill Downs on November 27.

Classic Causeway was bred in the Bluegrass State by his current connections and is the first black-type winner produced from the Thunder Gulch mare Private World, who captured both the Moccasin S. and Anoakia S. in 2005.

The winner has registered Brisnet Speed figures of 93-89-94-99 from his four lifetime tries to date and kicked off his sophomore season in fine fashion. With a pedigree that tilts towards stamina, it is more than possible that the colt will continue to improve as the distances increase throughout 2022.

Classic Causeway has fine early speed, hails from solid connections, and also has a nice foundation under him with a trio of route races to his credit to date. He is obviously one to watch on the Triple Crown Trail going forward.

The $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2) on March 12 is a next potential target for the fine three-year-old prospect.