Departing to breeze for Homecoming Classic start

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Departing was scheduled to have a final breeze this weekend in preparation for the $125,000 Homecoming Classic at Churchill Downs, the highlight of closing weekend next Saturday, Sept. 27.

Departing, a 4-year-old War Front gelding, has not raced since finishing eighth in the Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga on Aug. 2. He has worked three times in the interim, the latest being a half-mile breeze Sunday in 48 seconds at Churchill.

“He threw a clunker in his last race,” said trainer Al Stall Jr. “For whatever reason, we don’t know. He’s been physically and mentally fine since.”

The 1 1/8-mile Homecoming Classic was inaugurated last year with a $191,275 purse and was won by Fort Larned, who at the time was the defending winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic.