Classic Empire points to Breeders' Futurity

Classic Empire, the favorite in the Grade 1 Hopeful who veered out at the break and unseated jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., will be pointed to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland on Oct. 8, trainer Mark Casse said Friday.

Casse said that Classic Empire may have spotted the auxiliary starting gate that, for some reason, is parked alongside the outside fence on the main track.

Casse said Classic Empire went back to the track Tuesday and has been training in blinkers, equipment that he will wear for the first time in a race in the Futurity.

“I still think if we can get him to run in a straight direction, he’s as good as pretty much any 2-year-old in North America,” Casse said.

Marking done for the year

Marking, beaten a head in the Grade 3 Belmont Sprint Championship in July, will not race again this year, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said.

Marking was scratched out of the Grade 1 Forego at Saratoga on Aug. 27 with what was ultimately diagnosed as bruising of the cannon bone.

“This year’s done,” McLaughlin said