3 minute read
Classic Empire repelled the determined late challenge of Not This Time to register victory by a neck and surge to the head of the Kentucky Derby betting, earning a quote of 10-1 favourite with Coral.
Classic Empire hails from the same stable as Tepin and trainer Mark Casse looks to have another star on his hands.
Ridden by Julien Leparoux, Classic Empire was always prominent and took the measure of the front-running Syndergaard as the field swung for home.
Not This Time came out of the pack to throw down the sternest challenge but could not quite overhaul Classic Empire as the pair drew well clear of the remainder of the field in the style of high-class colts.
Practical Joke was a distant third, seven and a half lengths behind the principals.
Rider reaction
Leparoux said: "I was very confident when he broke well and he put me in the race.
"The blinkers help him a lot and he is a nice horse to look forward to as a three-year-old. I am excited for the future."
By Pioneer Of The Nile - the same sire as American Pharoah - Classic Empire has now won three of his four starts, the one defeat coming when he unshipped his rider at the start of the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga.