Continental Red is a Classic

Continental Red
Coady Photography

HOUSTON, Tex. (Dec. 7, 2002) - Continental Red completed a big Saturday for California-breds in the Great State Challenge, surviving a steward's inquiry and a jockey's challenge and winning the $210,500 Classic at Sam Houston Race Park.

The 6-year-old gelded son of Flying Continental, out of the Glaros mare Sharp Looking Lady, was bred by Mr. and Mrs. Wes Fitzpatrick and owned by Sharon Fitzpatrick. The $120,000 first prize raised his career earnings to $830,853, and was his sixth win in 46 starts.

Continental Red, a graded-stakes winner on turf whose connections decided to skip the Great State Challenge grass race and run on the dirt, rated nicely in the six-horse Classic field, eased out for running room in the stretch, was bumped by Pickupspeed in midstretch, but drew clear late to win by a length over Pass Rush in 1:49.34 for the 1 1/8 miles.

The win on the dirt further solidifies Continental Red's chances in the Jan. 25 $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic.

Earlier on the card, California Cup Juvenile winner Crackup won the $275,000 Great State Challenge Juvenile.

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