Classic Empire, Tepin keeping options open

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Classic Empire and Tepin are tentatively scheduled to breeze at the Palm Meadows training center in Boynton Beach, Fla., sometime in the middle of the coming week, trainer Mark Casse said Friday.

“Except for one day this week when the track was really wet, they’ve both trained every day, and trained well,” Casse said. “We’re pleased with how they’re both doing.”

Classic Empire, the reigning divisional champion and one of the favorites for the May 6 Kentucky Derby, has been recovering from a hoof abscess following his disappointing third-place finish in the Feb. 4 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Casse has yet to pinpoint the next Derby prep for the colt.

Tepin, the two-time female turf champion, also does not have a definite race on the horizon. The March 11 Hillsborough Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs has become less likely for her return. As an alternative, Casse has repeatedly mentioned the April 15 Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland as a possible comeback spot, assuming all goes well in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Casse has confirmed Lookin for Eight as a starter for the Fountain of Youth, to be run March 4 at Gulfstream. He added that another of his Kentucky Derby possibilities, State of Honor, will return to Tampa for the March 11 Tampa Bay Derby after finishing third behind McCraken in the Sam F. Davis Stakes earlier this month.