Racing Dudes Top 20 Kentucky Derby Rankings #13

1. Classic Empire

Derby Points/Rank: 132 – 2nd

Race Record: (7) 5-0-1

Earnings: $2,120,220

Breeding: Pioneerof the Nile – Sambuca Classica

Owner: John Oxley

Trainer: Mark Casse

Last Race: Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park, Finished 1st

Analysis: Talk about coming full circle.  Classic Empire was ranked number one on our first list of the year, but after a disappointing run in the Holy Bull, he lost that spot when week two rolled around.  Now, he’s back to number one for the last week of the rankings after a bounce-back win in the Arkansas Derby.  If the race was today, he’d be my pick, but in a field this evenly-matched, post positions will end up playing a major roll.