John Oxley's Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile), winner of the Nov. 5 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile to wrap up a likely championship juvenile season, worked for the first time since the World Championships with a four-furlong breeze at Palm Meadows Sunday morning. Trainer Mark Casse said he was thoroughly impressed by Classic Empire, who completed the distance in :49 flat, adding that the colt could possibly kick off his 3-year-old season in Gulfstream's GII Holy Bull S. Feb. 4.
“I would have said going into this breeze that he was 50-50 for the Holy Bull,” Casse said. “Now, the chances have increased. Seeing him [Sunday], if he can continue to train that way he trained [Sunday], it's a good shot he'll make the Holy Bull.”
Ridden by exercise rider E.J. Bowler, the bay breezed along the inside of the racetrack in company with three-time graded stakes winner Kaigun (Northern Afleet), who was also timed in :49 flat.
“We couldn't be happier,” Casse added. “I thought he worked super. He handled it well and galloped out well.”
Classic Empire is considered the heavy favorite to land Eclipse Award honors 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 triumph at Santa Anita. The lone blemish on Classic Empire's race record came in the GI Hopeful S. at Saratoga Sept. 5, when he wheeled at the start and lost his rider.
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