Champion Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile) prepped for his next start in the June 10 GI Belmont S. With a half-mile breeze in :50 flat (40/54) at Churchill Friday morning.
With exercise rider Martin Rivera in the saddle, the John Oxley colorbearer breezed in company with MGSW Airoforce (Colonel John) through splits of :24.60 and :37.60 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:04.
“He's doing reall well,” assistant trainer Norm Casse said. “We breezed in company, but wished the workmate could've kept up better. I'm still very happy about the work. He was at his full level of fitness for the Preakness. He'll obviously keep improving with his maturity in each start but his fitness level is great.”
Winner of the GI Arkansas Derby in April, Classic Empire finished fourth in the GI Kentucky Derby after a troubled trip and was a close second last time in the GI Preakness S. May 20.
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