• John Oxley's Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile), the expected favorite for Saturday's GI Belmont S. following fourth and second-place finishes in the May 6 GI Kentucky Derby and May 20 GI Preakness S., respectively, put in a strong 1 1/2-mile gallop at Churchill Downs Monday as he begins his final week of preparations for Saturday's final jewel of the Triple Crown.
“He looked really good, so we leave first thing in the morning [Tuesday],” said Norman Casse, assistant to his father, trainer Mark Casse. “It's basically what you want to see a horse doing when they come into a race like this. You don't want them to be lethargic. You want them to show energy, show you're holding them together, trying to slow them down. And that's the way he looked.”
• GIII Lexington S. winner and Preakness third Senior Investment (Discreetly Mine) galloped at Belmont Monday, with trainer Ken McPeek keeping a close eye on the chestnut's activities.
“He looks good, he had a nice gallop this morning,” he said. “I'm probably going to work him just an easy half tomorrow. It's a similar routine that worked for us with Sarava.”
McPeek pulled of a memorable 70-1 upset in the 2002 Belmont with Sarava (Wild Again), who entered the race off a win in Pimlico's Sir Barton S. on the Preakness undercard.
• GIII Illinois Derby winner Multiplier (The Factor) and GIII Gotham S. hero J Boys Echo (Mineshaft) both jogged at Churchill Downs Monday.
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