American Classic
surges in deep stretch to win $50,000 Budweiser Stakes
Sunland Park, NM - February 6, 2010 - Dismissed at over 10-1 odds, American
Classic surged in deep stretch to gain a dramatic victory in the $50,000
Budweiser Stakes at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Saturday. Under a
courageous ride from former Southern California jockey Agapito Delgadillo,
American Classic dug in determinedly to fight off a serious challenge from Sky
Jedi.
Coming off the turn, the sprint feature looked good for Sky Jedi. The energetic
speedster swept to the front heading both American Classic and the front running
Loves Bonus. Sky Jedi fought valiantly but could not hold off the late burst
from the winner.
American Classic won the 5 furlong feature by a head in a stirring finish. The
winning time was a fast 57.70 seconds, less than 2 seconds off the track record
held by Fearless Anthony in 2008. The winner is a royally bred son of Distorted
Humor. Trainer Jon Arnett has performed a masterful job with the chestnut
gelding. Last season, American Classic debuted as a five-year-old maiden at
Sunland Park. He has since gone on to win 5 races from 10 starts. The late
developing six-year-old earned $30,000 from his first career stakes win. Brian
Mundell of El Paso, Texas is the winning owner. American Classic paid a generous
$23.40 on a $2 win ticket.
Sky Jedi was out-finished in the final yards and had to settle for second place.
The 2-1 favorite by Yankee Victor responded eagerly for Medellin when moving
from fourth to first in a quarter mile. Last year, Sky Jedi was stakes placed in
the $50,000 Daylight Sprint Handicap at Sunland Park.
Loves Bonus wound up third, beaten two and one-half lengths. The eight-year-old
stakes veteran pressed a fast pace along with Cape of Bradford. He was never
able to catch a breather. KLAQ Handicap winner Happy Humor broke slowly and
finished fourth. Cape of Bradford ran out of steam in seventh place.