Casse high on Classic Empire ahead of Hopeful Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Soon after the gates opened in the Grade 3 Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs on July 2, trainer Mark Casse thought that his 2-year-old Classic Empire had essentially been eliminated.

“I was hoping he could be second,” Casse said.

But Classic Empire recovered from a bad start and ran down Recruiting Ready to win by three-quarters of a length.

“I thought that his win in the Bashford Manor was probably one of the most impressive 2-year-old winners I ever had,” Casse said. “I was amazed that he could win after everything that happened. We took a left-hand turn trying to make the gap, and I thought, ‘Well, there’s no way we could run this horse down.’ ”

Classic Empire aims to go 3 for 3 in Monday’s Grade 1, $350,000 Hopeful Stakes, the traditional closing-day feature at Saratoga. The Hopeful tops an 11-race card that also includes the Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch on turf. First post is 12:30 p.m. Eastern.

Classic Empire is a son of Pioneerof the Nile owned by John Oxley, who won the 2002 Hopeful with Sky Mesa. Casse said he and Oxley targeted the Hopeful for Classic Empire immediately after the Bashford Manor. Classic Empire shipped to Saratoga in late July and has breezed four times over the main track.

“He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do,” Casse said. “He’s not a big, robust horse, so he doesn’t have to do a lot. He’s very, very smart. He’s push-button, he’ll do what you ask him to do.”

With Julien Leparoux still a week away from returning from a fractured wrist, Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride Classic Empire from post 6.

Bitumen, trained by Eddie Kenneally, won his debut at Churchill Downs and then scored a 1 3/4-length victory in the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes here on July 23. Kenneally praised the professional nature in which Bitumen won and believes the seven furlongs of the Hopeful will suit his colt.

“He was running at the end and galloped out real strong in the Sanford,” Kenneally said. “I think the extra eighth of a mile will only benefit this horse.”

Runaway Lute, a New York-bred who has won both of his races impressively, and Practical Joke, a five-length debut winner here Aug. 6, are the main challengers. Royal Copy and the maidens Pretty Boy Flash and Everybodyluvsrudy complete the field.

Key Contenders

Classic Empire, by Pioneerof the Nile
Last 2 Beyers: 87-55

◗ Overcame a slow start with a fast finish to win the Bashford Manor over Recruiting Ready, who came back to finish second but was disqualified to fourth in the Saratoga Special.

◗ Breaks from post 6 after having to break from the rail in his first two starts.

“I love the post position,” Casse said.

FORMULATOR FACT: Entering the weekend, Casse was just 1 for 34 over the last five years on dirt at Saratoga.

Bitumen, by Mineshaft
Last 2 Beyers: 81-86

◗ Has shown different dimensions in his first two starts, winning a six-furlong maiden race at Churchill on the front end and coming from off the pace to win the Sanford.

◗ Has had four works, including a bullet half-mile Aug. 29, in preparation for this race.

Runaway Lute, by Midnight Lute
Last 2 Beyers: 81-72

◗ Despite losing a shoe, he won the Rockville Centre Stakes for New York-breds by 8 3/4 lengths at Belmont on July 16. Trainer Gary Contessa said the horse came out of that race with a tender foot but has had plenty of time to recover.

◗ In a race without much speed, he could be on the lead under Ricardo Santana Jr.

“I’m going to tell Santana, ‘Go if you want to go, stay if you want to stay,’ ” Contessa said.

Practical Joke, by Into Mischief
Last Beyer: 83

◗ Took advantage of a contested and quick pace to win his debut by five lengths here Aug. 6.

“He breezed twice well since the race, breezed very professional,” trainer Chad Brown said. “I think he fits. He only has that one start, gives up a little experience to the horses that ran more than one time, but he was pretty professional.”

◗ Jose Ortiz replaces his brother Irad in the saddle.