Class Included Takes Bayou 'Cap
Brittlyn Stable’s Class Included, allowed to settle just off the early pace in Saturday’s $60,000 Bayou Handicap, came outside the leaders when set down for the drive by jockey Shaun Bridgmohan and wore down Lothenbach Stables’ Eden Prairie in the late stages to tally by a length and a half.
“I thought the horse to beat was Eden Prairie,” said Bridgmohan. “I followed her the whole way and took my horse out at the top of the stretch and she kicked in real nice.”
Class Included returned mutuels of $7.80, $3.80 and $2.60, accomplished the about 1 1/16-mile distance over a Stall-Wilson turf course rated good in 1:43.46 and increased her career earnings to $630,826 with her 13th victory in 25 lifetime starts.
“It was tough,” said trainer Ron Faucheux after the race. “Neil’s filly (Eden Prairie) fought the whole way and we were fortunate to be the winner.”
Eden Prairie made the pace with splits of 24.01 and 48.10, could not withstand the winner but held the place by three-quarters of a length from Calumet Farm’s Starstruck.
Eden Prairie paid $3.40 and $2.40, and Starstruck returned $2.40.
Masquerade, Awesome Flower, Street of Gold, Twirl, Aggressive Elegance, and Channel Lady completed the order of finish.