Classy John tabbed heavy favorite in Louisiana Futurity

Valene Farms’ Classy John will seek a second stakes victory against Louisiana-breds in the colts and geldings division of the $85,700 Louisiana Futurity.

Named in honor of owner Murray Valene’s late father, the Dallas Stewart trainee will break from post five as the heavy 3-5 favorite. In his most recent effort, he was a 4½ length winner of the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile Stakes last time out over a sloppy main track. Classy John won his career debut by six lengths against open company at Saratoga back in August.

“It looks like he bounced out of Champions day well,” Stewart said. “He had a good work had a lot of good days leading up to Saturday so we’re looking forward to it. We’ve just taken things one day at a time and are hoping for another big effort out of him.”

The 2-year-old son of Songandaprayer was purchased for $12,000 from this year’s Equine Sales of Louisiana 2-Year-Old and Horses of Racing Age Sale, where he was consigned by Clear Creek Stud. He is the first foal out of the Old Forester broodmare Kitty’s Got Class who was a two-time stakes winner.

Classy John will be piloted by jockey Corey Lanerie.

Completing the field for the colts and geldings division of the Louisiana Futurity are Shae’s Day (post one, 15-1, Gabriel Saez), Jimi’s a Star (post two, 6-1, Emanuel Nieves), Café Du Monde (post three, 2-1, Florent Geroux) and Why Not Charlie (post four, 15-1, Chantal Sutherland). 

The Louisiana Futurity is carded as the first race on Saturday afternoon’s card. Three races later, the fillies race in their division of the Louisiana Futurity, which is headed by Louisiana Champions Day Lassie Stakes winner Midnight Fantasy. 

Owned by Carl R. Moore Management and trained by Joe Sharp, the 2-year-old daughter of Midnight Lute has won both of her career starts by a combined 12 ¾ lengths, both of which took place over the Fair Grounds main track under jockey Adam Beschizza. She was purchased for $77,000 from this year’s Equine Sales of Louisiana 2-Year-Old and Horses of Racing Age Sale where she was consigned by Pike Racing.

Midnight Fantasy will break from the four hole as the 3-5 morning line favorite.

Its Misty In Paris (post one, 12-1, Mitchell Murrill), Raising the Ante (post two, 20-1, Gabriel Saez), Miss Bitters (post three, 6-1, Colby Hernandez), Scat At Ms. Pat’s (post five, 8-1, Miguel Mena), Goodprofit (post seven, 7-2, Corey Lanerie) and Cohenscollegefund (post seven, 15-1, James Graham).