Classic Empire is 4-1 favorite
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — After Classic Empire endured hoof and back injuries and a reluctance to train this year, things are looking up for the Kentucky Derby favorite.
The bay colt was given 4-1 odds on Wednesday; just three of the 19 other horses entered are listed at lower than 15-1 in a wide-open race.
Classic Empire was idle for three months after winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and being named 2-year-old champion last year. He made his 3-year-old debut with a third-place finish in the Holy Bull Stakes in February. Then came two more months off, and twice during that time, the colt didn't want to train.
"It has been a crazy road, but we're right where we want to be," trainer Mark Casse said.
Classic Empire restored Casse's confidence in him by delivering a half-length victory in the Arkansas Derby in mid-April.
"With the average horse, you couldn't do what we have done," Casse said. "You need so many things to go right, and the good news with this horse is he is so talented he can overcome a lot."
Classic Empire will break from the No. 14 post on Saturday. Just two horses have won the Derby from there, the last being Carry Back in 1961.
Classic Empire's sire, Pioneerof the Nile, finished second in the 2009 Derby.
"We couldn't be in a better place right now," Casse said.
Recent history is on Classic Empire's side, too. The favorite has won the Derby in each of the last four years, the longest such streak since the 1970s.
Always Dreaming and McCraken, a three-time winner at Churchill Downs, are co-second choices at 5-1.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Always Dreaming drew the No. 5 post, which has produced nine Derby winners, most recently California Chrome in 2014. Blue Grass Stakes winner McCraken will break from the No. 15 hole. The last of five winners from there was Triple Crown champion American Pharoah two years ago.
Casse is one of three trainers with more than one horse in the race. He also trains State of Honor.
Todd Pletcher and Steve Asmussen have three starters each. Pletcher is seeking his second Derby win from the trio of Always Dreaming, Tapwrit and Patch.
Asmussen has yet to win the Derby in his long career. He will saddle Lookin At Lee, Untrapped and Hence.
Irish War Cry is the fourth choice at 6-1 odds and drew the No. 17 post. No horse has won from there, but trainer Graham Motion was pleased.
"Being in the auxiliary gate keeps you in the clear, keeps you away from the craziness," he said. "You don't have to stand in the gate that long."
The main starting gate holds 14 horses; a six-stall auxiliary gate is attached. Horses are loaded into the gate two at a time, beginning with posts one and 11, so those two horses spend the most time waiting for the start.