Preakness 2017: Classic Empire completes preparations at Churchill

John Oxley’s Classic Empire completed his Preakness Stakes 2017 preparations at Churchill Downs with a gallop over the main track on Sunday morning. The Kentucky Derby fourth place-finisher is scheduled to depart Barn 36 on Sunday at 5 p.m. (all times Eastern) for a van ride to Pimlico Race Course.

“He’s been doing great,” assistant trainer Norm Casse said. “Coming out from the Derby he really wasn’t that tired. We dealt with the small issue in his eye but he’s been doing very well out of the race.”

Classic Empire’s major training for the Kentucky Derby was hampered this winter when the colt refused to train on multiple occasions. Casse made the decision to bring in exercise rider Martin Rivera from their farm in Ocala, Florida to work out the kinks with the 2-year-old champion. Since then, Rivera hasn’t left Classic Empire’s side.

“He’s a happy horse,” Rivera said. “He’s been doing better each day of training and feels great moving over the track.”

Rivera galloped Classic Empire 1 ½ miles Sunday at 6 a.m. and immediately jumped in his car to drive to Pimlico prior to the colt’s arrival later this evening.

“We’re all excited to give Classic Empire another shot in the Preakness,” Casse said. “His trip was compromised in the Derby after the start and hopefully we’re in a much better spot going into the first turn next Saturday then we were in the Derby.”

 

ASMUSSEN DUO PREPING FOR FINAL PREAKNESS BREEZE 

Trainer Steve Asmussen’s duo of Lookin At Lee and Hence galloped Sunday morning at Churchill Downs and are expected to breeze early Monday morning before shipping to Pimlico on Tuesday for Saturday’s Preakness Stakes (GI).

Lookin At Lee was a fast-closing second in the Kentucky Derby, which gave jockey Corey Lanerie the feeling he was a Derby winner.

“Turning for home I thought we were going to win the race,” Lanerie said. “I kept him close to the rail which was playing the best throughout the weekend and once the speed started backing up we were in the perfect position. I’ve tasted what it’s like to think we are going to win the Kentucky Derby. Now hopefully we can get the job done in the Preakness.”

Asmussen’s other hope is Sunland Derby (GIII) winner and 11th place finisher in the Kentucky Derby, Hence. The 3-year-old son by Street Boss will be ridden again by jockey Florent Geroux, who is excited to give it another try in the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

“In the Derby I sat behind Corey (Lanerie) because I could see he was loaded with horse,” Geroux said. “I thought I’d follow him throughout the turn but my horse didn’t really respond to the track like his. Hopefully with a better track we can run well.”

Both horses are scheduled to arrive at Pimlico on Tuesday.