TORONTO, May 3 – On Wednesday morning, Classic Empire, trained by Woodbine-based conditioner Mark Casse, was installed as the 4-1 morning line favourite for the 143rd running of the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, slated for Saturday at Churchill Downs, in Kentucky. Casse will also saddle the Canadian-bred State of Honor (30-1ML) in the 1 1/4-mile classic which will go as the 12th race with a 6:46 p.m. post time. Canadian racing fans will once again be able to advance wager on the entire Kentucky Derby card beginning at 3PM on Friday at all WEG locations. Advance pick pools (multi-race wagers) for the Derby day card will open at the conclusion of Friday’s live Churchill program. Churchill Down’s first race on Friday and Saturday will go at 10:30 AM. Friday’s feature at Churchill Downs is the $1-million Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks which is headlined by the 5-2 morning line favourite Paradise Woods who will be ridden by Flavien Prat for trainer Richard Mandella. Although there are no Canadian-breds entered in the 1 1/8-mile event for sophomore fillies, Woodbine will be represented by jockey Luis Contreras aboard Ever So Clever (20-1ML) and Salty (6-1ML) who is trained by Casse. HPIBet will also be offering the Kentucky Oaks-Kentucky Derby Double wager, and the Kentucky Oaks-Woodford-Kentucky Derby Pick-3 wager. Racing fans can watch and wager on all the action from Churchill Downs via HPIbet.com. Share This:Share
