The Poinsettia Stakes - 3rd Running

Compiled by Robert Yates

Contact: Chris Ho, Vice President of Marketing, cho@oaklawn.com, 501-623-4411 ext. 4201

Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023

HIGH CLASS - Photo Credit: Coady Photography

HOT SPRINGS, AR (Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023) – Courtland Farms’ High Class notched her first career stakes victory in the $150,000 Poinsettia for female sprinters Saturday at Oaklawn.

A 3-year-old daughter of super sire Into Mischief, High Class sprinted to the lead at the start, shook I’m the Boss of Me turning for home and held off Chandana to win by a neck. High Class ($4) was the even-money favorite in the seven-horse field.

Ridden by Cristian Torres, High Class covered 5 ½ furlongs over a fast track in 1:05.72. The victory, her fourth in her last five starts, raised High Class’s career earnings to $313,047. She is trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen.

High Class entered the Poinsettia off two consecutive allowance victories this fall at Churchill Downs. The Poinsettia was for 3-year-olds and upward.

Live racing resumes Sunday at 12:30 p.m. (Central), with 10-race card featuring all races for 2-year-olds, including the six-furlong $150,000 Renaissance for sprinters and the one-mile $200,000 Year’s End for fillies.

Poinsettia Quotes

Winning jockey Cristian Torres: “She’s a real nice filly. I rode her at Churchill and we won beautifully over there, an allowance race. She came back after that race I rode her with (Luis) Saez and she won again, going 5 ½ (furlongs). She’s been very consistent, her last few races, so I’m glad Mr. Steve (Asmussen) gave me the opportunity to ride her back and she got it done. She likes to battle. She likes the competition. She got the job done.”

Winning trainer Steve Asmussen: “I was awfully concerned getting away from the gate. She didn’t break as good as she usually does from the 1 hole. Cristian (Torres) did what he needed to from the post position.”