John Oxley's Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile) will try to follow in the illustrious footsteps of the past two GI Kentucky Derby champions as he attempts to add to his juvenile title a victory in the 1 1/4-mile Run for the Roses Saturday at Churchill Downs. Besieged by setbacks and interruptions after claiming his juvenile crown earlier this winter, Team Casse has managed what seemed the improbable task of getting the talented yet famously headstrong colt ready to line up in the 143rd renewal of the Classic test. After putting his connections through the ringer this winter with his quirky morning antics and nagging ailments, the flashy bay seems to have finally put everything together and appears poised for another big effort following his latest victory in Oaklawn's GI Arkansas Derby Apr. 15.
“We're happy with all of the preparations,” said assistant Norm Casse.
The Casse barn will also be represented by Conrad Farms' State of Honor (To Honor and Serve), who breaks from the six hole. Classic Empire, the morning-line favorite at 4-1, has drawn post position 14.
As has become the norm, trainer Todd Pletcher arrives at Churchill Downs with a formidable hand in this year's first jewel in the Triple Crown. Leading the TAP troupe is Always Dreaming (Bodemeister), winner of his last three starts, including Gulfstream's GI Florida Derby Apr. 1. Undefeated since joining Pletcher and his latest pilot, John Velazquez, the dark bay drew favorably in post position five. Not as advantageously drawn is stablemate Tapwrit (Tapit)–set to go from the 16 hole–who hopes to rebound off of a lackluster fifth-place effort in the Apr. 8 GII Toyota Blue Grass S. at Keeneland. Rounding out the Pletcher triumvirate is the GII Louisiana Derby runner-up Patch (Union Rags), drawn in post 20. Pletcher's final representative–Master Plan (Twirling Candy)–failed to make it into the lineup after remaining stranded on the also eligible list.
Coming into this affair looking for another top effort is Isabelle de Tomaso's TDN Rising Star Irish War Cry (Curlin), winner of the GII Wood Memorial in his latest start Apr. 8. Having tasted defeat only once in five career starts, he will try to give his trainer his second Kentucky Derby win, following a score with Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux) in 2011.
“It's a little bit different this time around because he's one of the liked horses,” explained trainer Graham Motion. “Animal Kingdom flew under the radar a little bit. People talked him up a bit after his workout [the Saturday before the Derby at Churchill Downs], but basically we were under the radar. This is the first time I've come here with a horse that's considered a real contender. It's definitely a different situation. It puts on a little more pressure, perhaps. But I don't feel a lot of pressure. I feel really comfortable with him. If it weren't for that one bad race, I'd feel even more confident.”
Ready to give the chestnut colt a pass for his lackluster performance in the Mar. 4 GII Fountain of Youth S., Motion feels the New Jersey bred is more than capable of bringing home the roses.
“I think he has a tremendous stride on him, that's one of his strongest attributes,” added Motion. “His disposition (is also a strong attribute]–he handles everything so well.”
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