After his 2-year-old season, Classic Empire had the look and pedigree to be the best in his class. It hasn’t gone that way as a 3-year-old, and the bad-luck colt has been pulled from the 2017 Belmont Stakes with a hoof abscess.
Belmont Stakes 2017: Classic Empire out with hoof abscess
The horse’s bad luck season continues.
Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports
Belmont favorite Classic Empire flew to New York on Tuesday, but on Wednesday would not put the hoof down, his trainer, Mark Casse, said, via Daily Racing Form. “He’ll be better as soon as it busts open,” Casse said. “He’ll have instant relief, but he can’t run. He’s been too good to us.”
This isn’t the first time American Pharoah’s half-brother has struggled with the injury this year. In February, Classic Empire finished an uninspiring third at the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream. The Mark Casse-trained colt was diagnosed with a hoof abscess at that time and had to take some time off to recover.
He did, going on to win the Arkansas Derby in April and appearing to put his past behind him. But at the Kentucky Derby the colt, race favorite and starting from the outside out of the main gate at Churchill Downs, got squeezed by the horse starting on the inside of the auxiliary gate. Bumped early he appeared out of contention to win the Derby before it even reached the first turn. He did rally to a fourth-place finish, but could do no better.
Two weeks later at the Preakness in more favorable conditions and a good position in a small field, Classic Empire had his best shot at winning a jewel of the Triple Crown. He finished second but lightly raced Cloud Computing managed to win the race.
The Belmont field stands at 12. The race is set for a post time of 6:47 p.m. ET and can be watched on NBC or streamed online with NBC Sports Live.
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