Gulfstream: ‘Super’ Work Puts Classic Empire Back on Track for Holy Bull

By David Joseph —-

‘Super’ Work Puts Classic Empire Back on Track for Holy Bull
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Winner Breezes Sunday at Palm Meadows

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Classic Empire got back on track for the Feb. 4 Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park Sunday, pleasing trainer Mark Casse during a half-mile work at Palm Meadows Training Center.

“I would have said going into this breeze that he was 50-50 for the Holy Bull. Now, the chances have increased,” Casse said. “Seeing him today, if he can continue to train that way he trained today, it’s a good shot he’ll make the Holy Bull.”

Classic Empire breezed Sunday for the first time since capturing the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita Nov. 5, timed in 49 seconds for a half-mile at Gulfstream’s satellite training facility in Palm Beach County. Ridden by exercise rider E.J. Bowler, the son of Pioneerof the Nile breezed along the inside of the racetrack in company with multiple graded-stakes winner Kaigun, who was also timed in 49.

“We couldn’t be happier. I thought he worked super. He handled it well and galloped out well,” said Casse, who trains the Kentucky-bred colt for John C. Oxley.

Classic Empire, the odds-on favorite to be honored as the 2-year-old champion of 2016 at the Eclipse Awards Dinner at Gulfstream Park Jan. 21, has won four of five starts. He captured the Bashford Manor (G3) at Churchill Downs and the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland prior to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, in which he held gamely to edge Not This Time by a neck under jockey Julien Leparoux.

Cover Photo: Classic Empire; Anne M. Eberhardt

Gulfstream Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida, and is one of North America’s top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world’s largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; XpressBet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.