Classic Empire seen as favorite for Derby
Arkansas victory solidifies status, Churchill Downs oddsmaker Battaglia says
The Churchill Downs oddsmaker saw enough from Classic Empire in the Arkansas Derby that he’s prepared to make him the favorite for the Kentucky Derby.
Classic Empire, the 2-year-old Eclipse Award champion, bounced back from a rough winter to win the $1 million, Grade I Arkansas Derby by a half-length Saturday over Conquest Mo Money at Oaklawn Racing and Gaming in Hot Springs, Ark.
“I was really impressed with the way Classic Empire was able to come back like he did in a 12-horse field and run such an awesome race,” Mike Battaglia said. “I think he’ll be cranked up for the Derby. I think he will be the favorite.”
He wouldn’t speculate on the morningline odds for Classic Empire. Those will be set after the draw May 3 for the Kentucky Derby on May 6 in Louisville.
“It all depends on how he trains and if Classic Empire doesn’t bounce back after three weeks,” Battaglia said. “That’s kind of daunting. But I still think he has more talent than all of them. For his first race at a mile and an eighth, he did everything good horses do.”
Battaglia said Florida Derby winner Always Dreaming and Wood Memorial winner Irish War Cry could be co-second choices for the Kentucky Derby.
“Those two are close,” Battaglia said. “The rest of them, I don’t see it.”
The Arkansas Derby was the last major prep race for the Kentucky Derby, and the field for the 143rd Run for the Roses is taking shape. The top 20 horses in the final points standings are eligible to enter, and 18 of them are considered probable to enter. The two outliers came out of the Arkansas Derby: Conquest Mo Money (second) and Malagacy (fifth).
Conquest Mo Money ranks 12th on the points list with 60 but is not nominated for the Triple Crown. Co-owners Tom and Sandy McKenna would have to pay a $200,000 supplemental fee by May 3. The McKennas did not immediately return a call for comment Sunday.
Malagacy, who ranks 14th on the points list with 50, had been undefeated in three races before the Arkansas Derby.
The first two horses on the points-list bubble are Cloud Computing (third in the Wood Memorial) and Untrapped (sixth in the Arkansas Derby).
DERBY NOTES
Gunnevera trainer Antonio Sano announced via Twitter that Javier Castellano will ride his horse in the Kentucky Derby. Sano and Castellano are natives of Venezuela.
Castellano had been waiting to choose between Gunnevera (third in the April 1 Florida Derby) and Malagacy for his Kentucky Derby mount.
Florida Derby runner-up State of Honor breezed 4 furlongs in 49.80 seconds Sunday at Churchill Downs.
“We really just wanted to get a solid maintenance work in him before something more serious next week,” assistant trainer Norm Casse said. “State of Honor is a tremendous workhorse, so we will probably keep breezing him by himself.”
Classic Empire is scheduled to return to Churchill Downs on Monday. He could resume training Thursday or Friday.