Classic Empire

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This article is about an American thoroughbred race horse. For Empire Classic basketball tournament, see
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.
Classic Empire
Mark Casse
Record9: 5–1–1
Earnings$2,520,220[1]
Major wins
Bashford Manor Stakes (2016)
Breeders' Futurity Stakes (2016)
Arkansas Derby (2017)
Breeders' Cup wins:
Breeders' Cup Juvenile (2016)
Awards
American Champion Two-Year-Old Male Horse (2016)

Classic Empire (foaled March 21, 2014) is a retired American

Thoroughbred race horse who was named the American Champion Two-Year-Old Male Horse of 2016 after winning the Breeders' Futurity Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile. After several setbacks at the start of his three-year-old campaign, he won the Arkansas Derby, finished a troubled fourth in the Kentucky Derby, then second by a head in the Preakness Stakes
. Classic Empire was retired due to multiple setbacks from an abscess on his right front hoof, as well as slight back problems which plagued him throughout his career. He stands stud at Ashford Stud, in Kentucky.

Background

Classic Empire is a bay colt with a

Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.[2] Classic Empire's dam, Sambuca Classica, was winless on the racetrack but came from distinguished bloodlines. She had already produced two stakes winners before foaling Classic Empire.[3]

As a yearling being prepared for sale, Classic Empire was described by his handlers as a "very well-bodied, medium-sized horse, he kind of stood out for folks." He was purchased for $475,000 at the

Mark Casse, who says that despite the colt's athleticism, his most compelling aspect is the way his mind works. "He's extremely, extremely smart. He sees things other horses don't see. We were saying this early on. It can get him in trouble sometimes."[3][1]

Classic Empire gained a reputation as being a bit of a "bad-boy" in his racing career, after unseating his rider in the Hopeful Stakes and refusing to breeze on several occasions.[4][5] But Casse said that he didn't merit such a reputation, stating: "Everyone wants to make him out to be this bad boy, but he's not. He doesn't have a mean bone in his body...."[6] Jockey Florent Geroux, who had fallen off the horse during a workout early on in his two-year-old year, commented, "it's not like he wants to hurt you or anything. He doesn't even go anywhere. After I was thrown, I just got back on him and finished the breeze."[7]

Racing career

2016: two-year-old season

Classic Empire debuted on May 4 in a Maiden Special Weight race at Churchill Downs. Sent off as the 1-2 favorite and ridden by jockey Julien Leparoux, he broke slowly and rallied from the back of the field to win by 1 1/2 lengths under a hand ride on a track rated as sloppy.[8]

He then started in the Grade III

Mark Casse) stated after the race: "I think he's definitely going to be much more effective around two turns."[10]

Due to his previous win, he was made the favorite for the Grade I Hopeful Stakes on September 5. He was ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., as Leparoux was sidelined with a broken wrist.[11] Classic Empire again broke slowly, then moved sharply to the right, unseating Ortiz.[12] He pulled himself up at the outside rail, then was vanned off the track showing mild lameness. He was reported to be in good shape shortly after the race, but he had hit himself with a hoof while running.[13]

Classic Empire wearing blinkers for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile

His connections then announced that he would start in the

blinkers for the first time. Classic Empire was made the favorite, and Leparoux was back aboard. Classic Empire broke quickly and stalked the early front runners before making a strong move around the turn, pulling away to win by three lengths.[14] After the win, Leparoux said; "Today he broke sharp and was all business. He ran a big race."[15]

He's an extremely, extremely smart horse, and he tends to see things that maybe others don't, and you never know what he's going to do.[16]

—Mark Casse

Classic Empire was then entered in the

FrontRunner Stakes), and Practical Joke (Hopeful Stakes and Champagne Stakes). Classic Empire broke cleanly and settled half a length behind Syndergaard, who set a fast pace, and continued to press the pace until the far turn, when he took the lead and pulled clear to lead by three lengths. As they entered the stretch, Classic Empire withstood a late charge from Not This Time, but he prevailed to win by a neck, with a time of 1:42.60. Practical Joke was more than seven lengths back in third. Casse said: "I have been doing this for 37 years and I thought his race in the Bashford Manor was as good as any two-year-old I've ever trained."[17][16]

The close finish made Classic Empire and Not This Time the early co-favorites in the Kentucky Derby future wagering.[18] Two weeks after the Breeders' Cup, it was announced that Not This Time would be retired due to an injury,[19] which made Classic Empire the sole early Kentucky Derby favorite.[20]

On January 21, 2017, Classic Empire was named the

Champion Three-Year-Old Filly).[21]

2017: three-year-old season

Classic Empire began serious training at Palm Meadows Training Center in early January, with the February 4th Holy Bull Stakes being his early target.[22] Classic Empire entered the race with a relatively short work tab, with only four workouts in a span of twenty days.[23] He started as the 0.50 favorite in a field of seven, which also included Gunnevera and Irish War Cry.[24] Classic Empire was noticeably washy before the race and was reluctant to load into the starting gate. He broke a step inward and moved up into third place on the first turn. He moved into second with strong urging from Leparoux but flattened out in the stretch to finish a non-threatening third, 5 lengths behind Gunnevera and 8 3/4 lengths behind Irish War Cry.[25] Leparoux said of the race: "we got a good trip and every chance and he just didn't kick at the end."[26]

Although Classic Empire seemed to come out of the race in good order, Casse subsequently discovered an abscess on the right front hoof.[27] Casse noted that the problem most likely had been brewing for some time and wondered if it was the cause of his troubles in the Holy Bull.[28] The abscess was slow to heal, and he missed his next planned start.[29] Then, on the morning of March 3, he also refused to breeze, showing signs of discomfort in his back. Casse had an equine massage therapist brought in to examine and treat him. By March 5, he was showing no signs of soreness, but was tack-walked a few more days to be safe. Casse theorized that his back problem was caused by Classic Empire changing his gait because of his foot abscess, which led to the back issue, saying, "He's a work in progress. But the good news is we still have a lot of time and I wouldn't count us out yet."[30]

Classic Empire's next goal was supposed to have been the Blue Grass Stakes on April 8, but on March 19 at Palm Meadows Training Center, he refused to break off and breeze, for no apparent reason. He was then shipped to Winding Oaks Farm, [a] near Ocala, Florida, to see if the change of scenery would help him.[31] Classic Empire responded to the change very well, breezing five furlongs within the next few days.[32]

After a workout on March 28 (5 furlongs in 59:3⁄5), it was announced that Classic Empire would target the April 15 Arkansas Derby.[33] Winding Oaks Farm manager Phil Hronec was impressed with the work, stating: "It gave me goosebumps."[34] In the race, he faced a field of 11 other three-year-olds, including undefeated Rebel Stakes winner Malagacy.[35] Classic Empire stayed calm and relaxed throughout the post-parade, unlike before the Holy Bull, and loaded into the starting gate quietly. Starting from post 2, he bobbled slightly at the start, then moved up and had to be checked between two runners while passing the wire for the first time. He then raced keenly while running mid-pack, was stuck in traffic before the far turn, swung about six wide on the turn, and was fourth with about four lengths to make up entering the home stretch. He then unleashed a sustained rally, and, despite switching to the wrong lead near the wire, got up to beat Conquest Mo Money by half a length, with a time of 1:48.93.[36] Leparoux stated: "today I knew I was loaded." Oxley commented that a new exercise rider, Martin Rivera, may have helped: "I think he was the wild card. The horse respected him, he trained so well with him and so here we are."[37][38] The day after the race, Classic Empire appeared to be in great shape, with Casse saying: "I know what happened at Gulfstream was because of his foot abscess because he was an entirely different horse yesterday."[39]

Kentucky Derby

Classic Empire was one of the favorites for the 2017 Kentucky Derby, held at Churchill Downs on May 6. The track was labelled as "Wet Fast (sealed)",[40] with some standing water due to persistent rain over the course of several days. The start for several horses was poor, with Classic Empire being hit by McCraken, who was slammed into Classic Empire by Irish War Cry, who broke inwardly. More than a dozen lengths behind in 13th in the early part of the race, Classic Empire started closing ground around the far turn and into the stretch, only to be bumped again by McCraken. Classic Empire still finished fourth, 8+3⁄4 lengths behind winner Always Dreaming and 3/4 of a length behind third-place finisher Battle of Midway. "We got wiped out at the start", said trainer Mark Casse. "Classic Empire really got clobbered...Our horse ran extremely well, considering everything."[41]

Classic Empire came out of the race with some superficial cuts and a swollen right eye; The day after the Derby, he was barely able to open it due to swelling. "I think if he ever showed how great he was, it was yesterday", said Casse.[42] A few days after the Derby, Mark Casse announced that Classic Empire's eye was "100% better" but was being monitored hourly. He added that the horse had "about four or five abrasions, but none needed stitches.[43]

Remainder of 2017

Classic Empire (5) next to Always Dreaming in the Preakness

Classic Empire went on to run in the

blinkers in future races. "If I could do it all over again, the only thing I would do differently is I would take the blinkers off him. I'm not sure how much he saw Cloud Computing coming."[47]

Oxley confirmed on May 23 that Classic Empire would point towards the Belmont Stakes as his next race.[48] It was also announced that day that Classic Empire would stand at Ashford Stud in Kentucky upon his retirement from racing. Ashford Stud, part of the larger Coolmore racing and breeding organization, made one of "five or six" offers to Oxley in 2016.[48] Oxley said "American Pharoah is there and he is by Pioneerof the Nile, as is Classic Empire, so I think it is a good fit there."[49]

On June 7, it was announced that Classic Empire's hoof abscess had returned and that the colt would not start in the Belmont. His connections instead began preparing him for a summer campaign, with the

Haskell Invitational as a possible next start.[50] Classic Empire began conditioning but only had one unrecorded breeze[51] before being sidelined again with his hoof and back bothering him. Mark Casse then said they would train up to the Travers Stakes.[52] At Saratoga, Classic Empire was fine physically, but he was not enthusiastic about training, which Mark Casse attributed to the humidity.|[53] His connections decided to skip the Travers and wait for the Pennsylvania Derby, where he would have more time to prepare and the weather would be cooler.[54] After refusing to breeze on August 14, Classic Empire was sent back to Winding Oaks Farm to train, where his back problem, which was flaring up again, could be monitored daily by his veterinarian.[55] Mark Casse then announced that Classic Empire would also skip the Pennsylvania Derby but stay in training with no particular race being targeted. Casse stated, "I'm not going to push it anymore... once we get him back in a regular routine, then we'll come up with a target."[56]

Retirement

On October 18, 2017, it was announced that Classic Empire has been retired from racing. His foot abscess took longer to heal than initially expected, and the colt ran out of time to return to form for his intended year-end start, the Breeders' Cup Classic. "The problem is he had to come back at the top of his game to compete with the very best", Mark Casse said. "The foot took a lot longer to get right than I thought it would."[57]

Stud career

Classic Empire began stallion duties at Ashford Stud in 2018 for a stud fee of $35,000. On January 15, 2019 his first foal was born, a bay filly out of the Bernardini mare Sky My Sky bred by John Oxley.[58]

Notable progeny

c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding

Foaled Name Sex Major wins
2020 Angel of Empire c Arkansas Derby

Race record

Date Track Race Grade Distance Finish Margin Time Odds Ref
05/20/2017 Pimlico Race Course Preakness Stakes I 1+3⁄16 miles 2nd (Head) 1:55.98 2.20 [44]
05/06/2017 Churchill Downs Kentucky Derby I 1+1⁄4 miles 4th (8+3⁄4 lengths) 2:03.59 6.80 [40]
04/15/2017
Oaklawn Park
 Arkansas Derby I 1+1⁄8 miles 1st 1⁄2 length 1:48.93 *1.90 [59]
02/04/2017 Gulfstream Park Holy Bull Stakes II 1+1⁄16 miles 3rd (8+3⁄4 lengths) 1:42.52 *0.50 [60]
11/05/2016
Santa Anita
 Breeders' Cup Juvenile I 1+1⁄16 miles 1st Neck 1:42.60 4.50 [61]
10/08/2016
Keeneland
 Breeders' Futurity Stakes I 1+1⁄16 miles 1st 3 lengths 1:43.41 *1.60 [62]
09/05/2016 Saratoga Hopeful Stakes I 7 furlongs DNF x 1:23.39 *1.65 [63]
07/02/2016 Churchill Downs Bashford Manor Stakes III 6 furlongs 1st 3⁄4 lengths 1:09.39 4.70 [64]
05/04/2016 Churchill Downs Maiden Special Weight x 4+1⁄2 furlongs 1st 1+1⁄2 lengths :52.68 *0.50 [65]

An asterisk before the odds means Classic Empire was the post-time favorite. DNF stands for Did Not Finish.

Pedigree

Pedigree of Classic Empire, bay colt, March 21, 2014[66]
Sire
Pioneerof the Nile
2006 		Empire Maker
2000 		Unbridled Fappiano
Gana Facil
Toussaud El Gran Senor
Image Of Reality
Star Of Goshen
1994 		Lord At War General
Luna de Miel
Castle Eight Key To The Kingdom
Her Native
Dam
Sambuca Classica
2004 		Cat Thief
1996 		Storm Cat Storm Bird
Terlingua
Train Robbery Alydar
Track Robbery
In Her Glory
1990 		Miswaki Mr. Prospector
Hopespringseternal
Forever Waving Hoist The Flag
Quillesian (family 4-m)[67]

Classic Empire is inbred 5 x 4 to Mr. Prospector, meaning Mr. Prospector appears once in the fifth generation as the sire of Fappiano and once in the fourth generation of Classic Empire's pedigree. He is also inbred 5 x 5 to Raise a Native, and 5 x 5 to Northern Dancer.

Notes

  1. Dr Fager
    was born, raised, stood at stud, and is buried

References

  1. ^ a b c "Classic Empire Profile". Equibase. Retrieved May 8, 2017.
  2. ^ "Pioneerof the Nile". WinStar Farm. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Tales from the Crib: Classic Empire". www.kentuckyderby.com. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  4. ^ "Updated: Champion Classic Empire Refuses To Work Just 19 Days Before Blue Grass". Paulick Report. March 20, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  5. ^ "'This Game Ain't Easy': Classic Empire's Training Session Ends Abruptly; Colt Shows Discomfort In Back". Paulick Report. March 3, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  6. ^ "Hovdey: Casse's line cast for the next big one". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  7. ^ "Derby favorite Classic Empire an enigmatic star". May 4, 2017.
  8. ^ "Race 2 (MSW) at CD on 5/4/16 at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2016 | Race Result | BloodHorse.com". BloodHorse. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  9. ^ "Casse, Leparoux Complete Stakes Double | BloodHorse.com". BloodHorse. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  10. ^ "Classic Empire enjoys extra distance in Bashford Manor". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  11. ^ "Leparoux Will Miss Three To Four Weeks With Wrist Fracture". Paulick Report. August 7, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  12. ^ "Practical Joke All Business In Hopeful; Classic Empire Loses Rider At Start". Paulick Report. September 5, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  13. ^ "Practical Joke wins Hopeful Stakes to cap Brown's big meet". Daily Racing Form. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  14. ^ "Classic Empire in Breeders' Futurity Score | BloodHorse.com". BloodHorse. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  15. ^ "Classic Empire overpowers Breeders' Futurity foes". Twin Spires. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  16. ^ a b Wincze-Hughes, Alicia. "Classic Empire Reigns in BC Juvenile". BloodHorse. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  17. ^ "$2 million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile – Quotes and Recap – Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016 – Santa Anita Park". Santa Anita Park. November 5, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  18. ^ White, Chris. "Classic Empire, Not This Time atop Derby odds". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  19. ^ "Not This Time Retired Due to Injury". BloodHorse. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  20. ^ "Classic Empire Top Individual in Derby Future". BloodHorse. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  21. ^ "Classic Empire Unanimous Champion 2-Year-Old Male". BloodHorse. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  22. ^ "Classic Empire, Tepin Turn in First Moves of 2017". BloodHorse. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  23. ^ "Workout History – Classic Empire". Equibase. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  24. ^ "All Eyes on Champion Classic Empire in Holy Bull". BloodHorse. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  25. ^ "Irish War Cry Scores Upset in Holy Bull". BloodHorse. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  26. ^ "Lambholm South Holy Bull Post-Race Quotes". www.gulfstreampark.com. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  27. ^ "Classic Empire 'Sharp As Can Be' in First Training Exercise Since Holy Bull". www.paulickreport.com. Paulick Report. February 14, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  28. ^ Wincze Hughes, Alicia (February 9, 2017). "Classic Empire on the Mend After Foot Abscess". BloodHorse. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  29. ^ Shea, Erin. "Classic Empire Out of Fountain of Youth". BloodHorse. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  30. ^ "Classic Empire Still Targeting Blue Grass Stakes". BloodHorse. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  31. ^ "After Not Working, Classic Empire Gallops in Ocala". BloodHorse. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  32. ^ "Classic Empire Back to Work in Ocala". BloodHorse. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  33. ^ "Classic Empire Works Five Furlongs At Winding Oak, Now Pointed To Arkansas Derby". Paulick Report. March 28, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  34. ^ "Classic Empire to Arkansas Derby After Impressive Work". BloodHorse. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  35. ^ "Classic Empire Aims to Regain Luster in Arkansas Derby". BloodHorse. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  36. ^ "Road to the Derby: Arkansas Derby analysis".
  37. ^ "Classic Empire Delivers in Arkansas Derby". BloodHorse. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  38. ^ "Classic Empire rallies for Arkansas Derby". www.kentuckyderby.com. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  39. ^ "Team Casse Celebrates Classic Empire's Return to Form". BloodHorse. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  40. ^ a b "Chart of the Kentucky Derby". Equibase. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  41. ^ Angst, Frank. "Always Dreaming True in Kentucky Derby Win". BloodHorse. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  42. ^ "Always Dreaming in Good Order After Derby Triumph". BloodHorse. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  43. ^ "Classic Empire Likely for Preakness". May 8, 2017.
  44. ^ a b "Equibase | Charts". Equibase. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  45. ^ "Cloud Computing Wears Down Classic Empire in Preakness". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  46. ^ Jeremy Balan (May 20, 2017). "Cloud Computing Wears Down Classic Empire in Preakness". BloodHorse. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  47. ^ "Cloud Computing Leaves Pimlico, Others Thinking Belmont". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  48. ^ a b "Classic Empire to Coolmore on Retirement". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  49. ^ "Classic Empire to Coolmore Upon Retirement". Thoroughbred Daily News. May 23, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  50. ^ "Champion Classic Empire to Miss Belmont Stakes". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  51. ^ "Classic Empire On Target For Haskell Despite 'Unorthodox' Breeze - Horse Racing News". paulickreport.com. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  52. ^ "Classic Empire to Resume Galloping". bloodhorse.com. July 21, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  53. ^ "Saratoga Race Course Notes 8.13.17 | NYRA". www.nyra.com. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  54. ^ Alicia Wincze Hughes (August 3, 2017). "Pennsylvania Derby in Play for Classic Empire". Blood Horse. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  55. ^ Alicia Wincze Hughes (August 16, 2017). "Champion Classic Empire Back Training in Ocala". Blood Horse. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  56. ^ Erin Shea (August 29, 2017). "Classic Empire to Bypass PA Derby, Future Undecided". Bloodhorse. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  57. ^ "Champion Classic Empire Retired to Ashford Stud". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  58. ^ "First Foal for Champion 2YO Classic Empire".
  59. ^ "Chart of the Arkansas Derby". Equibase. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  60. ^ "Chart of the Holy Bull Stakes". Equibase. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  61. ^ "Chart of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile". Equibase. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  62. ^ "Chart of the Breeders' Futurity". Equibase. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  63. ^ "Chart of the Hopeful Stakes". Equibase. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  64. ^ "Chart of the Bashford Manor". Equibase. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  65. ^ "Chart for May 4, 2016, Churchill Downs, Race 2". Equibase. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  66. ^ "Pedigree of Classic Empire". Equineline. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  67. ^ "Thoroughbred Bloodlines – Magnolia – Family 4-m". www.bloodlines.net. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
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