Classic Empire likely to resume training soon

ELMONT, N.Y. – Classic Empire was improving Friday morning after the abscess on his right front foot that forced him to miss Saturday’s 149th Belmont Stakes busted open Thursday night, and his connections are hopeful that last year’s 2-year-old male champion could resume training by the middle or end of next week.

With the abscess popping, fluid drains out of the foot, alleviating pain, and it allows him to be treated with anti-inflammatories, according to trainer Mark Casse.

“He’s much better today – still not perfect, but better,” Casse said Friday. “It’s continuing to drain.”

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Casse said Classic Empire is tentatively scheduled to ship back to Churchill Downs by van on Monday. Having lost what likely will amount to a week to 10 days of training, Casse is hopeful that Classic Empire could make the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 31.

“If all goes well, we’ll be at the Haskell,” Casse said.

Classic Empire was attempting to be one of just two horses to compete in all three legs of the Triple Crown this year. Classic Empire finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby and second in the Preakness Stakes. Lookin At Lee, second in the Derby and fourth in the Preakness, was entered in the Belmont.

Casse said he felt badly that Classic Empire didn’t get another chance to win a Triple Crown race.

“I feel bad for the horse because I felt like he deserves one of the Triple Crown races, and he’s not going to get it,” Casse said.

On Thursday, Mississippi Delta gave Casse some solace by holding on to win the Grade 3, $150,000 Intercontinental Stakes by a head at Belmont Park. The win was the seventh from 19 starts for Mississippi Delta, a 5-year-old mare who has banked $727,138.

“She’s a pretty good little horse,” Casse said. “I don’t know that she’s been fully appreciated yet. She’s won close to three-quarters of a million dollars.”

Casse said he hadn’t given any thought to what might be next for Mississippi Delta. Last year, she finished sixth in the Intercontinental and then fourth in the Perfect Sting Stakes at Belmont. The $100,000 Perfect Sting, a one-mile race, is set for July 1.

Mississippi Delta defeated Conquest Babayaga, a horse Casse had previously trained. Conquest Babayaga was part of the Conquest Stables dispersal auction last fall and was purchased by Louis Coal.

“I was the underbidder,” Casse said. “That filly’s a really beautiful, talented filly.”