Empire Classic in the plans for Governor Malibu

ELMONT, N.Y. – Governor Malibu, a 7 1/2-length allowance winner against New York-breds last time out, worked five furlongs in 1:01.60 on Friday over the Belmont Park main track in preparation for next Saturday’s $300,000 Empire Classic.

“He worked very well, just purely a maintenance five-eighths,” trainer Christophe Clement said. “Looked well, looked sound, looked willing. All good.”

Governor Malibu spent most of the spring and summer competing against the upper echelon of the 3-year-old division. He finished fourth in the Belmont Stakes, second in the Jim Dandy, and fifth in the Travers before his allowance score in the mud Sept. 30.

“I was very happy,” Clement said. “We were looking to go back to the winner’s circle, which we did. It was a nice race. He came out of it in good shape. I know it’s back a little close, but the Empire Classic, as long as he trains well in the coming week, the plan is to go there.”

The Empire Classic is the richest of eight stakes races for New York-breds on the Empire Showcase Day program. Among the others expected for the Empire Classic are Empire Dreams and Royal Posse, the one-two finishers from last year’s Empire Classic, Clifton Pleasure, Crackerjack Jones, Good Luck Gus, Hit It Once More, and possibly Wake Up in Malibu.