Trainer Casse not giving up on Classic Empire running in Kentucky Derby
Mark Casse hasn’t given up on Classic Empire taking a run at the Kentucky Derby.
The champion three-year-old colt was treated last weekend for a back problem Casse figures came about after the horse developed a foot abscess following a third-place finish in the Grade 2 US$350,000 Lambholm South Holy Bull Stakes on Feb. 4 at Gulfstream Park. The son of Pioneerof the Nile was treated by an equine therapist Saturday then examined Sunday by Casse’s vet.
On Monday, Casse was hopeful Classic Empire, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner and North American thoroughbred racing’s top two-year-old last year, would resume training later this week.
“He’s looking good,” Casse said in a telephone interview. “We’ve had everything go wrong so far but if we can have everything go right from this point on we can still win the Kentucky Derby, there’s no doubt in my mind.