Classic Q has been a work in progress, and on June 6, she delivered the performance that trainer Mark Casse knew she had in her. Coming into the Just a Game Stakes Presented by Resolute Racing (USA-G1) off a win in the Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes (USA-G2), the daughter of 2016 American champion juvenile male Classic Empire went to the front from the start. The delicate-looking filly hung as tough as anyone could ask, scoring her first Grade 1 win by 1¼ lengths under a beautifully judged ride by savvy veteran John Velazquez. She has now earned US$1,349,865, an excellent return on the US$40,000 she cost as a 2023 Keeneland September yearling.
Bred by Winning Bloodstock, Classic Q came along too late to do anything for Classic Empire’s stud career, as he had been exported to South Korea following the 2023 breeding season. According to Thoroughbred Daily News, she is the seventh Classic Empire stakes winner produced from Scat Daddy mares but is the first representative of the cross of earn black type outside South America.
Lovely Em, the dam of Classic Q, won four of her 19 starts and apparently was not an impressive physical specimen, as she sold for only US$9,500 when offered at the 2020 Keeneland November mixed sale, in foal to Copper Bullet. The foal she was carrying (her second) was stakes-placed Copper Em. After producing Classic Q, Lovely Em visited Mo Town and then went back through the sale ring, selling for US$10,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November sale. In her most recent trip to the sales, Lovely Em, then in foal to Vekoma, sold to Barry Ostager for US$38,000 at the 2024 Keeneland November sale. Her Vekoma foal, now a yearling filly, has already been named Red Unit and has undoubtedly appreciated in value thanks to Classic Q, as has Lovely Em. The 13-year-old mare visited Solomini this spring.
A half sister to Bear Holiday (by Harlan’s Holiday), a two-time listed stakes winner as a juvenile, Lovely Em is also a half sister to Kajawa (by Cross Traffic), dam of restricted stakes winner No More Cents (by Goldencents). The siblings were produced from the winner Milagra (by Maria’s Mon), whose Grade 1-placed half sister Rhiana (by Runaway Groom) is the dam of 2008 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (USA-G2) winner Behindatthebar (by Forest Wildcat). Milagra, in turn, was produced from the Fappiano mare Tatiana, whose stakes-placed half sister Nu Myoozik (by Cure the Blues) produced 1996 Gran Premio Nacional Augusto B. Leguia (PER-G1) winner Sol Del Norte (by Local Talent).
Classic Q can be temperamental and quirky, but John Velazquez is now 2-for-2 with her in 2026 and appears to have her figured out. The big question now is the road map through the rest of the season. As a turf miler, her likeliest long-term spot would be the Breeders’ Cup Mile (USA-G1)—always a tough spot, but if anyone can develop this filly further, Casse can. Regardless of where she appears next, she will be one to watch.
Bred by Winning Bloodstock, Classic Q came along too late to do anything for Classic Empire’s stud career, as he had been exported to South Korea following the 2023 breeding season. According to Thoroughbred Daily News, she is the seventh Classic Empire stakes winner produced from Scat Daddy mares but is the first representative of the cross of earn black type outside South America.
Lovely Em, the dam of Classic Q, won four of her 19 starts and apparently was not an impressive physical specimen, as she sold for only US$9,500 when offered at the 2020 Keeneland November mixed sale, in foal to Copper Bullet. The foal she was carrying (her second) was stakes-placed Copper Em. After producing Classic Q, Lovely Em visited Mo Town and then went back through the sale ring, selling for US$10,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November sale. In her most recent trip to the sales, Lovely Em, then in foal to Vekoma, sold to Barry Ostager for US$38,000 at the 2024 Keeneland November sale. Her Vekoma foal, now a yearling filly, has already been named Red Unit and has undoubtedly appreciated in value thanks to Classic Q, as has Lovely Em. The 13-year-old mare visited Solomini this spring.
A half sister to Bear Holiday (by Harlan’s Holiday), a two-time listed stakes winner as a juvenile, Lovely Em is also a half sister to Kajawa (by Cross Traffic), dam of restricted stakes winner No More Cents (by Goldencents). The siblings were produced from the winner Milagra (by Maria’s Mon), whose Grade 1-placed half sister Rhiana (by Runaway Groom) is the dam of 2008 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (USA-G2) winner Behindatthebar (by Forest Wildcat). Milagra, in turn, was produced from the Fappiano mare Tatiana, whose stakes-placed half sister Nu Myoozik (by Cure the Blues) produced 1996 Gran Premio Nacional Augusto B. Leguia (PER-G1) winner Sol Del Norte (by Local Talent).
Classic Q can be temperamental and quirky, but John Velazquez is now 2-for-2 with her in 2026 and appears to have her figured out. The big question now is the road map through the rest of the season. As a turf miler, her likeliest long-term spot would be the Breeders’ Cup Mile (USA-G1)—always a tough spot, but if anyone can develop this filly further, Casse can. Regardless of where she appears next, she will be one to watch.
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