Classic Empire looks like old self in Arkansas Derby work

Reigning juvenile male champion Classic Empire worked five furlongs in 59.60 seconds Monday at Winding Oaks Farm in Ocala, Fla., as he continues to prepare for his final Kentucky Derby prep in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on April 15.

According to trainer Mark Casse, Classic Empire’s regular rider, Julien Leparoux, was aboard for the work, which came out of the starting gate and in company for the second week in a row with older stablemate Airoforce, the Grade 2 winner and 2015 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf runner-up who is preparing for his 2017 debut.

“It was spectacular,” Casse said. “I had chills for two minutes after the work. It’s the best he’s ever breezed. He’s definitely back 100 percent. He needs a horse to work with, and I was limited with who can even come close to keeping up with him, and being [John Oxley] owns both of them, it works out perfectly.”

Casse said that although the final time was similar to Classic Empire’s previous work in company with Airoforce six days earlier in Ocala, there was no comparing the two moves.

“The track was much deeper today than last week because we had a lot of wind here overnight,” Casse said. “It was pretty loose out of the chute.

“He took a bit of a stumble out of the gate before he got his feet under him. Last week, it was a little harder for him to dispose of Airoforce. This morning, he drew away by six or seven lengths, and his gallop-out was awesome. He got a little tired last week, but Julien said he didn’t take a deep breath today.

“I’m really glad we made the decision to come up here. He’s a smart horse, something just set him off down there [at Palm Meadows]. Something bugged him, and sometimes you have to change things up with him or he gets bored. I’m confident when he gets to Oaklawn he’ll go out there and everything will be great.”

Casse, who already has Florida Derby runner-up State of Honor pointing to the Kentucky Derby, said he plans to give Classic Empire one more easy work in Ocala next weekend with the hope of shipping him to Oaklawn next Monday; that would give him an opportunity to gallop over the track for several days prior to the Arkansas Derby. Shipping plans have not been finalized.

Casse was equally enthused by the performance here Saturday of his lightly raced 3-year-old filly Salty, who rallied to a 4 1/4-length victory over Tequilita while making her two-turn debut in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks. Salty earned an 88 Beyer Speed Figure for the win, two points lower than the mark she posted for a maiden win four weeks earlier, and will now move on as one of the likely favorites for the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 5.

“I thought it was a huge race for her, very powerful,” Casse said, “especially since she really had nothing go her way; she had to go around everybody. It was the first time she’d run two turns, and she had to make a long, sustained run over a track that’s not easy to close on. Obviously, Farrell will be tough [in the Oaks], but I think we have a very good filly.”

Salty finished second when launching her career here with trainer Ian Wilkes on Feb. 4. She joined Casse’s barn after Gary Barber purchased an interest in the filly.

“I know she’s only had three starts, but I think she’s gotten a fair amount of experience in those races because of her running style,” Casse said. “She’s not like a filly who has run only three times and been on the lead in each race. She’s got a good disposition, and I’m not really concerned about her relative lack of experience heading into the Oaks.”