Kentucky Derby BRIS Speed Rating Report April 18: Classic Empire back on track
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April 18th, 2017
Classic Empire’s comeback victory in the Arkansas Derby (G1) elicited cheers and an enormous sense of relief from supporters. After nearly going off the rails this winter, the 2-year-old champ is back in a prominent position for the Kentucky Derby on May 6.
Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia said he plans to install Classic Empire as the morning line favorite for Kentucky Derby 143 at the post position draw on May 3.
Trained by Mark Casse and ridden by Julien Leparoux, Classic Empire was making only his second start of his sophomore season in the Arkansas Derby. He finished a well-beaten third as the odds-on choice when opening the year in the February 4 Holy Bull (G2) at Gulfsream Park and exited the setback with a foot abscess.
It took more than two months for the Pioneerof the Nile colt to make it back to the races and Classic Empire showed some rust getting up to win in the latter stages by a half-length, registering a 96 BRIS Speed rating in the Arkansas Derby. Off as the slight 9-5 favorite, he was all out to beat questionable competition and received a less-than-optimal Speed number.
But Classic Empire’s backers weren’t dismayed. They know the chestnut is capable of better, generating a 108 Speed number for his Breeders’ Cup Juvenile victory last November, and are looking forward to seeing the real Classic Empire surface on the First Saturday in May.
The chestnut is eligible to improve significantly in the second start back from a layoff but there’s no guarantee he will be able to produce his best on the three-week turnaround.
It could go either way but one thing is for certain: Classic Empire’s presence makes the Kentucky Derby a lot more interesting.
Arkansas Derby runner-up Conquest Mo Money, who needed to be supplemented for a $200,000 fee after not being nominated to the Triple Crown, will skip the Kentucky Derby and point toward the Preakness on May 20.
Lookin at Lee and Sonneteer rallied dramatically from off the pace to be third and fourth, respectively. Both received a career-best 94 BRIS Speed rating and will need some help to make the Derby field, with Lookin at Lee currently 22nd and Sonneteer 23rd on the points list. They’re on the upswing but neither looks fast enough to win it all. However, Lookin at Lee and Sonneteer have established themselves as intriguing longshots for the bottom of the exotics.
Here are the top BRIS Speed ratings from Kentucky Derby contenders in qualifying races this year (90 or better, top four finish required):
|
Horse |
|
Race (finish position) |
|
BRIS Speed |
|
J BOYS ECHO |
|
Gotham (1st) |
|
104 |
|
HENCE |
|
Sunland Derby (1st) |
|
103 |
|
ALWAYS DREAMING |
|
Florida Derby (1st) |
|
102 |
|
GORMLEY |
|
Sham (1st) |
|
102 |
|
GUNNEVERA |
|
Fountain of Youth (1st) |
|
102 |
|
IRISH WAR CRY |
|
Wood Memorial (1st) |
|
102 |
|
IRISH WAR CRY |
|
Holy Bull (1st) |
|
102 |
|
TAPWRIT |
|
Tampa Bay Derby (1st) |
|
101 |
|
IRAP |
|
Blue Grass (2nd) |
|
100 |
|
CLOUD COMPUTING |
|
Gotham (2nd) |
|
100 |
|
GIRVIN |
|
Louisiana Derby (1st) |
|
99 |
|
GORMLEY |
|
Santa Anita Derby (1st) |
|
99 |
|
MCCRAKEN |
|
Sam Davis (1st) |
|
99 |
|
PRACTICAL JOKE |
|
Blue Grass (2nd) |
|
99 |
|
GIRVIN |
|
Risen Star (1st) |
|
98 |
|
BATTALION RUNNER |
|
Wood Memorial (2nd) |
|
98 |
|
BATTLE OF MIDWAY |
|
Santa Anita Derby (2nd) |
|
98 |
|
PATCH |
|
Louisiana Derby (2nd) |
|
98 |
|
ROYAL MO |
|
Santa Anita Derby (3rd) |
|
98 |
|
GUNNEVERA |
|
Holy Bull (2nd) |
|
97 |
|
STATE OF HONOR |
|
Florida Derby (2nd) |
|
97 |
|
TAPWRIT |
|
Sam Davis (2nd) |
|
97 |
|
CLASSIC EMPIRE |
|
Arkansas Derby (1st) |
|
96 |
|
STATE OF HONOR |
|
Tampa Bay Derby (2nd) |
|
96 |
|
UNTRAPPED |
|
Risen Star (2nd) |
|
96 |
|
MCCRAKEN |
|
Blue Grass (3rd) |
|
96 |
|
STATE OF HONOR |
|
Sam Davis (3rd) |
|
96 |
|
MALAGACY |
|
Rebel (1st) |
|
95 |
|
ROYAL MO |
|
Robert Lewis (1st) |
|
95 |
|
PRACTICAL JOKE |
|
Fountain of Youth (2nd) |
|
95 |
|
GUNNEVERA |
|
Florida Derby (3rd) |
|
95 |
|
CLOUD COMPUTING |
|
Wood Memorial (3rd) |
|
94 |
|
LOOKIN AT LEE |
|
Arkansas Derby (3rd) |
|
94 |
|
SONNETEER |
|
Arkansas Derby (4th) |
|
94 |
|
SONNETEER |
|
Rebel (2nd) |
|
93 |
|
J BOYS ECHO |
|
Withers (3rd) |
|
93 |
|
UNTRAPPED |
|
Rebel (3rd) |
|
93 |
|
IRAP |
|
Sunland Derby (4th) |
|
93 |
|
J BOYS ECHO |
|
Blue Grass (4th) |
|
93 |
|
CLASSIC EMPIRE |
|
Holy Bull (3rd) |
|
92 |
|
IRAP |
|
Robert Lewis (2nd) |
|
91 |
|
UNTRAPPED |
|
Lecomte (2nd) |
|
91 |
|
GORMLEY |
|
San Felipe (4th) |
|
91 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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