Pioneerof the Nile’s champion colt Classic Empire drew post five in Saturday’s $1.5 million Preakness S. (G1) as he attempts to improve on his troubled fourth-place finish in the May 6 Kentucky Derby. (G1).
As he was in the Derby, the Mark Casse trainee will be ridden by Julien Leparoux and was made the 3-1 second choice behind Derby winner Always Dreaming.
Casse is hoping for a cleaner trip than his stable star got in the Run for the Roses, and with just 10 horses entered Saturday, should have a better chance than in the 20-horse Derby.
“We want to just have a good break and see what happens,” Casse said after the draw. “Always Dreaming is a very, very good horse, (but) we just want a fair shot at it.”
Classic Empire has settled in well since arriving at Pimlico, according to assistant trainer Norm Casse, Mark’s son.
“I thought he was really awesome,” the younger Casse said after Tuesday’s trip to the track. “I’m always a little apprehensive the first time a horse goes out to a track, especially when you come to a place like Pimlico that has a bunch of tents and a lot of things to look at.
“A lot of times he can be a little lackadaisical, but he was on the bridle. He looked really good. He had a lot of energy and more importantly, he was moving really good, looking really smooth. All of those are positive signs.”
The Preakness is race 13 on Saturday’s card, with a scheduled post of of 6:48 p.m. ET.
