Classic Empire wins on wrong lead

[Rupert Pupkin]

Originally Posted by Rudeboyelvis

I think Funny Cide had a little trouble in both the Holy Bull and the Wood, but don't recall him switching leads in any of his preps. I could well be wrong, but I don't recall that.

For me, a horse that's switching leads in the stretch (Everyone sees things a little differently, I saw him beginning to switch at the 1/16th pole, not 3 seconds before the wire), after sitting off a respectable but certainly not quick pace, going a mile 1 1/8 three weeks before the Derby - has conditioning and/or distance issues that one race isn't going to fix. He was life and death to catch Conquest Mo Money (who's not even going to contest the Derby and is point to the Preakness).

No thanks, especially at the price he's going to go to post at...

I don't remember whether Funny Cide switched back to his left lead in any of the preps. I just remember him doing it in both the Ky Derby and Preakness.

With regard to Classic Empire, I would tend to agree with you. Assuming he was getting a little tired in the Arkansas Derby, that does not bode too well for him going 1 1/4 miles just 3 weeks later. Considering that he will be a relatively short price, I would probably be looking elsewhere.