Classic Empire, Likely Favorite, Is Out of Belmont Stakes

Classic Empire, the likely post time favorite for Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, will miss the race with an abscess in his right front.

This is the same abscess that bothered Classic Empire after The Holy Bull back at Gulfstream and forced him to miss another prep race for The Kentucky Derby back in Hallandale. Classic Empire had a troubled trip in The Derby, and ran a big second in The Preakness.

I was concerned about the three hard races in a row (Arkansas Derby), and thought he was a play against in The Belmont because of it. The abscess could pop in time for him to possibly run, but with a long year ahead, and Team Casse being the kind of horsemen they are, they will give the colt time, which never hurts.