Classic Empire nearly ready to breeze

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – Classic Empire, who missed a work when an abscess popped out the heel of his right front hoof days after his third-place finish in the Holy Bull at Gulfstream last month, is back galloping at Palm Meadows. Trainer Mark Casse said he is hoping to breeze Classic Empire “in the next few days,” but first wants the warm weather to dissipate.

“I just don’t think he likes the warmer weather,” Casse said Wednesday. “I think once he gets to Kentucky, he’ll blossom.”

Casse said the Blue Grass at Keeneland on April 8 is the most likely spot for Classic Empire to have a final Kentucky Derby prep. He likened the situation he’s in now to what he faced last fall after Classic Empire lost his rider in the Hopeful Stakes and had to come into the Breeders’ Cup with just one significant race in months.

“We already know he likes Keeneland,” Casse said, referring to Classic Empire’s win in the Breeders’ Futurity prior to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita. “He won the Breeders’ Cup coming off that. I feel comfortable with one race if need be.”