Classic Empire on target for Holy Bull

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Classic Empire, named the champion 2-year-old male Saturday night at the Eclipse Awards dinner, is set to make his first start as a 3-year-old in the Grade 2, $350,000 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream on Feb. 4 according to his trainer, Mark Casse.

Classic Empire worked five furlongs from the gate in 1:00.75 Saturday morning, his third work at Palm Meadows this month. He is scheduled to work again next weekend.

“As long as everything’s good he’s a go,” Casse said.

Classic Empire won four times in five starts last year. He is by Pioneerof the Nile, the same sire as 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.