John Oxley's Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile), winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Nov. 5, worked five furlongs in 1:02.55 in company with three-time graded stakes winner Kaigun (Northern Afleet) Monday at Palm Meadows Trainign Center. Monday's work was the second breeze of the year for the colt, who is under consideration for a return to action in the Feb. 4 GII Holy Bull S. at Gulfstream Park. Classic Empire's work was over seen by Mark's son and assistant, Norman.
“Norman was every enthusiastic about the breeze,” Casse said. “When you look at it from a time standpoint it is more about what he does after the breeze. He amazes us because you can't get him tired. There's been a lot of discussion about the Holy Bull between Mr. Oxley, Norman, and myself. I think we're going to make it because I just think it's good timing. I would say today is another step closer to the Holy Bull.”
Casse joked that Classic Empire's willingness to tackle an increasing workload occasionally makes him a handful in the mornings.
“He's a bit of a bad boy, there is no doubt about that,” Casse quipped. “I was talking to Mr. Oxley this morning and said to him, 'He's different than most horses. He's absolutely brilliant, but what makes him so good, also makes his bad.' The fact that he is tireless, makes him tough. Somebody the other day said he walks like a panther, and that's what he does–he always ready to pounce.”
Classic Empire is considered the heavy favorite to capture the Eclipse Award as the champion juvenile colt of 2016, by virtue of a campaign that also included wins in Keeneland's GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity Oct. 8 and Churchill's GIII Bashford Manor S. July 2, in addition to his Breeders' Cup victory at Santa Anita. Classic Empire's lone defeat came in the GI Hopeful S. at Saratoga Sept. 5, when he wheeled at the start and lost his rider.
Quintessential Racing Florida, Horse'n Around Racing Stable and Gary Barber's 7-year-old Kaigun, meanwhile, is likely to return in an allowance race in February, according to Casse.
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