Classic Empire (photo by Casey Laughter).
Classic Empire: 3/28 – The Champion 2-year-old Male continued preparations for a planned start in Oaklawn Park’s Grade 1 Arkansas Derby by breezing five furlongs from the gate in :59.30 (the best of two workouts at the track and distance) over a fast course at the Winding Oaks training facility in Ocala, Florida.
Gunnevera: 3/25 – Conditioner Antonio Sano’s multiple graded stakes victor had his final official exercise for Gulfstream Park’s Grade 1 Florida Derby, a 1:01.80 (7/20) five-furlong breeze on a fast oval at Gulfstream Park West.
Hollywood Handsome: 3/24 – Owner Mark Stanley’s late Triple Crown nominee tuned up for his stakes debut in Fair Grounds’ Grade 2 Louisiana Derby by breezing four furlongs over that fast surface in :48.80 (5/52).
McCraken: 3/27 – Under regular jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr., the unbeaten current Kentucky Derby favorite breezed six furlongs in 1:13.40 (1/1) on Keeneland’s fast main track in advance of that track’s Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes on the second Saturday in April.
One Liner: 3/25 – The undefeated Grade 3 Southwest Stakes hero breezed four furlongs over fast dirt at Palm Beach Downs in :49.60 (9/26) ahead of a likely next start in Aqueduct’s Grade 2 Wood Memorial Stakes.
Untrapped: 3/27 – The Grade 2 Rebel Stakes show finisher breezed four furlongs in :51.40 (14/19) on an Oaklawn Park track rated “good” to prepare for a return in next month’s $1 million Arkansas Derby there.
