Classic Campaign Squeezes Out Fort Lauderdale Upset

Edgar Prado guided Kinsman Stable’s homebred Classic Campaign through a tight hole in deep stretch to win the $75,000 Fort Lauderdale Stakes in an exciting upset on the Gulfstream Park lawn Saturday.

Dreadnaught was second, a neck behind the winner and a head in front of third-place Saint Stephen, the 3-1 favorite who finished a head to the good of 58-1 Kiss the Kid, the pacemaker. The winning time was 1:40 for the 1 1/16-mile test on firm going.

The winner, a 5-year-old Rahy   gelding trained by Bill Mott, paid $15.80, $8.20, and $5.20 for his sixth win in 19 starts. The chestnut, fifth in the Tropical Turf Handicap (gr. III) at Calder Dec. 2, has banked $281,495.

Settled near the rear of the pack, Classic Campaign was steadied behind the front-runners at the head of the stretch and rallied strongly while squeezing between Dreadnaught and Saint Stephen in deep stretch for Prado, who made it back-to-back stakes wins after driving Kelly's Landing to victory in the Mr. Prospector (gr. III) one race earlier.

Dreadnaught, the 7-year-old gelding ridden by Jean-Luc Samyn, returned $9.80 and $5.60. Saint Stephen, who won the Native Diver Handicap (gr. III) on Hollywood Park's Cushion Track Dec. 10, overcame a bad post Saturday to run a strong race with John Velazquez aboard. He paid $3.60.

Kiss the Kid was followed Gin and Sin, Ballast, Interpatation, Minister's Joy, Giant Wrecker, Old Dodge, and Ecclesiastic.

Prince Alphie scratched.

(Chart: Equibase)