Led by Arkansas Derby winner Classic Empire, four horses who raced at Oaklawn Park this year are pointing to the 149th Belmont Stakes June 10.
A troubled fourth in the Kentucky Derby and beaten a head when second in the Preakness, Classic Empire goes for his second Grade 1 victory of his 3-year-old season and fourth of his career at New York's Belmont Park. Classic Empire was ranked No. 1 in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's weekly poll Monday in the wake of Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming's eighth-place flop in the Preakness.
Playing catch-up early at Churchill Downs after being bumped out of the gate May 6, Classic Empire outdueled Always Dreaming early at Pimlico and led by three lengths in the stretch before collared late by Cloud Computing, making only the fourth start of his career and first in six weeks.
"We are really proud of his Preakness effort," said assistant trainer Norm Casse. "He came out of the race in great shape and we're excited to get him back to training."
According to reports Thursday, neither Cloud Computing (trainer Chad Brown) or Always Dreaming (Todd Pletcher) is confirmed for the Belmont, horse racing's mile-and-half Test of the Champion.
Possible starters include Conquest Mo Money and Lookin At Lee, second and third in the April 15 Arkansas Derby, and stakes winner Senior Investment, a Feb. 20 allowance winner at Oaklawn. Lookin At Lee, trained by Steve Asmussen, finished second in the Kentucky Derby and fourth in the Preakness. Senior Investment (Ken McPeek) finished third and Conquest Mo Money (Miguel Hernandez) seventh at Pimlico after skipping the Kentucky Derby.
Classic Empire bids to follow Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and Creator as consecutive winners of the Arkansas Derby and Belmont.
* It was announced Tuesday that Coolmore Stud has obtained the breeding rights to Classic Empire, last year's male juvenile champion. The colt will continue to race in the colors of Tulsa, Okla., oilman John Oxley, who paid $475,000 for the colt at a Keeneland yearling sale.
Classic Empire will stand at Coolmore America's Ashford Stud alongside fellow champion juveniles American Pharoah, Uncle Mo and Shanghai Bobby. American Pharoah and Classic Empire both are sired by 2009 Kentucky Derby runner-up Pioneerof the Nile.
About the Belmont, Oxley said, "You can never be definite with a horse, but as of today that is the plan. I think he will handle the mile and a half just fine. The blood is there, and the horse doesn't seem to tire from his races. He is one tough customer."
* Midnight Storm, a disappointing third in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap April 15, looms the favorite in Saturday's $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita. The 6-year-old Pioneerof the Nile horse can add a Grade 1 victory on dirt to his Grade 1 triumph on turf. Midnight Storm, trained by Phil D'Amato, is a multiple Grade 2 winner on dirt.
Sports on 05/26/2017