Classic Empire moves closer to start in Holy Bull

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A week ago, trainer Mark Casse said everything would have to go perfectly for Classic Empire to make the Grade 2 Holy Bull here on Feb. 4. Classic Empire moved a lot closer to that goal by working four furlongs in 49.78 seconds and galloping out five-eighths in 1:03.40 at the Palm Meadows training center on Sunday, according to Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Vesce.

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner, Classic Empire worked in company with the older graded stakes winner Kaigun.

“We’ve been happy with him all along, but everything has to go right in this type of situation, and we’re a lot happier with him today,” said Casse’s son and assistant, Norman, several hours after the work. “This was a big positive, and I’d say the Holy Bull is definitely in play right now – certainly a lot more than it was a week ago. He got a big run to the pole, so it was really more like he went five-eighths, and then he galloped out strong and wasn’t tired when he came back. So, I don’t think he’s lost too much fitness.”

Sunday’s work was the first for Classic Empire since his neck triumph over Not This Time in the Juvenile, and Casse said Kaigun is the perfect fit as a work partner for his younger stablemate.

“We love to work horses of the same talent together – it seems to make them work harder and get fitter faster – but for the longest time, I haven’t had a horse to work with him,” Casse said of Classic Empire. “Kaigun is a perfect candidate. Even though he’s a multiple stakes winner on turf, he’s always worked well on the dirt, and he’s on the same schedule as Classic Empire, so he’ll be a good workmate for him going forward.”

The Casses had a busy morning at Palm Meadows on Sunday, also sending out Breeders’ Cup Mile runner-up Tepin to breeze an easy half-mile on turf in 49.80, according to Vesce.

“It was a typically easy work for her to get her started back,” said Norman Casse. “We’ll start cranking her up a little more next week.”

Tepin, among a stellar trio of finalists for an Eclipse Award in the female turf category, is being pointed to a defense of her title in the Grade 3 Endeavour at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 11.

Classic Empire was one of several potential Holy Bull candidates to work over the past several days. On Monday, McCraken breezed an easy half-mile in 50.50 at Palm Meadows. The previous morning, Gunnevera sizzled five-eighths in 58.81 at Gulfstream Park West. Three Rules covered the same distance in a more leisurely 1:02.91 on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Trainer Ian Wilkes said he is in no rush with McCraken, who rallied from off the pace to win all three of his starts, including the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs.

“He could still make the Holy Bull, but if not, I’m fine with waiting another week and taking him to Tampa,” Wilkes said, referring to the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis on Feb. 11. "A lot will depend on how the track is playing here because of his running style."

◗ A seven-furlong optional-claiming dash for older fillies and mares highlights Wednesday’s program. A field of eight will vie for the $49,000 purse, led by stakes winner Tale for Ruby and Diamond Earring.

◗ Curlin’s Approval, the runner-up in the Grade 3 Rampart here Dec. 17, worked five furlongs in 59.50 at Gulfstream on Monday with jockey Emisael Jaramillo aboard. She’s targeting the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie at seven furlongs on the Pegasus World Cup card Jan. 28.