Advertisement

Kentucky Derby: Tampa Bay Downs horses co-second choices

 
Exercise rider Martin Rivera gallops Kentucky Derby favorite Classic Empire at Churchill Downs. [Associated Press]
Exercise rider Martin Rivera gallops Kentucky Derby favorite Classic Empire at Churchill Downs. [Associated Press]
Published May 4, 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — After he endured hoof and back injuries and a reluctance to train, things are looking up for Classic Empire.

The bay colt was made the early 4-1 favorite for the Kentucky Derby on Wednesday, with just four of the 20 horses listed at single digits 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's been a crazy road, but we're right where we want to be," trainer Mark Casse said.

Two horses familiar to the Tampa Bay area are co-second choices at 5-1. Always Dreaming broke his maiden this year at Tampa Bay Downs and McCraken won the Sam F. Davis Stakes.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Always Dreaming drew the No. 5 post, which has produced nine Derby winners, most recently California Chrome in 2014. McCraken will break from the No. 15 hole. The last of five winners from there was Triple Crown champion American Pharoah two years ago.

Area simulcast wagering on the Derby will be available at the Downs in Oldsmar, Derby Lane in St. Petersburg and Tampa Greyhound Track.

Classic Empire restored Casse's confidence 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's so talented he can overcome a lot."

Classic Empire will break from the No. 14 post. Just two horses have won the Derby from there. The last was Carry Back in 1961. The favorite has won the Derby each of the last four years, the longest streak since the 1970s.

Pletcher has two other starters: Tapwrit (the Tampa Bay Derby winner and the Sam F. Davis Stakes runner-up who is listed at 20-1) and Patch (30-1).

Patch, whose left eye was removed because of infection, drew the No. 20 post on the far outside. He won't be able to see the rest of the field to his left. "He'll get to see the crowd when he leaves there," Pletcher said.

State of Honor, the Tampa Bay Derby runner-up, is 30-1.

A total of 22 horses were entered, two more than the maximum. Royal Mo and Master Plan would need defections by Friday morning to get into the 11/4-mile race.

The purse would be $2,395,800 if 20 horses start, the second-richest in the race's 143-year history. In 2005, $2,399,600 was awarded. The winner would earn $1,635,800.

Times correspondent Don Jensen contributed to this report.