Classic Empire withdrawn from race

Colt has abscess in hoof; Irish War Cry made 7-2 favorite.

NEW YORK — Irish War Cry is returning to the Triple Crown trail as the 7-2 favorite for the Belmont Stakes.

The colt claimed that status after expected favorite Classic Empire was forced out earlier Wednesday because of an abscess in his right front hoof.

Classic Empire was coming off a runner-up finish in the Preakness on May 20 after being fourth in the Kentucky Derby. Irish War Cry finished 10th in the Derby and skipped the Preakness.

No one was more surprised at the turn of events than Graham Motion, who trains Irish War Cry. He left his base in Fair Hill, Maryland, early in the day and by the time he arrived in New York, his colt was the favorite in the 12-horse field for Saturday’s race.

Irish War Cry pressed the pace at Churchill Downs before backpedaling to 10th. Shocked and disappointed, Motion planned to give the New Jersey-bred son of Curlin a long rest. He didn’t commit to the Belmont until Sunday.

“I can honestly say that this was not my original plan,” Motion said after the draw at Rockefeller Center. “When he ran so badly in the Derby, I just wanted to go home and forget about the Triple Crown. That’s what the Derby does to you when you don’t win it.”

Irish War Cry drew the No. 7 post under jockey Rajiv Maragh. Japan-based Epicharis is the 4-1 second choice, followed by Lookin At Lee at 5-1. Lookin At Lee will be the only horse to run in all three legs of the Triple Crown.

Classic Empire trainer Mark Casse said the abscess was found Wednesday and is a recurrence of the problem that bothered the colt after his loss in February’s Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream.

“Right now, he’s standing in the hot tub,” Casse said. “We’re trying to get it to break open. As soon as that happens, he’ll have instant relief. We are not going into the Belmont off something like that.”

Classic Empire’s withdrawal from the 1½-mile Belmont leaves the $1.5 million race with a field of 12.

It’s the second consecutive year a Japan-based colt is in the Belmont. Lani ran in all three Triple Crown events and gave by far his best performance in Elmont. He ran third, 1½ lengths behind winner Creator.

Epicharis is a nose shy of being 5-for-5, losing to Thunder Snow on March 25 in the UAE Derby. Unlike many of his Belmont opponents, Epicharis’ pedigree suggests he will stay 1½ miles. His sire, Gold Allure, is a son of 1989 Horse of the Year Sunday Silence, and his female line includes ancestors who won the 1½mile Arc de Triomphe.