143rd Kentucky Derby belongs to Classic Empire

By Rick Francis —-

Classic Empire; Coady Photography

Race 12), 1&1/4 Mile. Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands Grade I. Purse
$2,000,000 FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS Post Time: ( 6:46)/ 5:46/ 4:46/ 3:46

Classic Empire (14), Casse/Leparoux; Arkansas Derby victory was the most impressive of the final Derby preps nationwide; his deep closing run showed the true mark of a champion. Conditions will be bad early but it won’t matter, Pioneer of the Nile colt has regained his “mojo”.

Girvin (7), Sharp/Smith; no one is really giving this Tale of Ekati colt a shot due to his foot issues, and probably rightfully so, but one must asked how could Oaks champion rider Mike Smith, arguably the World’s best big money jockey get on anything less than a sound horse? Louisiana Derby champ will threaten late.

State of Honor (6), Casse/Lezcano; a stretch here, however upon closer examination of his Florida Derby placing he was finishing up pretty solid. Has hit the board to three of these in graded stakes, so you’re gonna give 30-1 are better; taking a shot.

McCraken (15), Wilkes/Hernandez; for weeks the number one 3-year-old going, and then son of Ghostzapper suffered a bit of a setback resulting in lost training time which probably had a hand in his flat finish in the Grade Blue Grass. He definitely has the skills to not only win but to dominate, just don’t think a 20 horse field in less than ideal conditions is the place for that to happen.

Selections: 14, 7, 6, 15