2016 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity

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John Oxley’s Classic Empire was on his best behavior Saturday at Keeneland, and the additional work his connections have done paid off with a victory in the $500,000, Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity.

The 2-year-old Pioneerof the Nile colt trained by Mark Casse infamously wheeled and dropped his rider at the start of the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes on Sept. 5 at Saratoga Race Course, but this time he ran straight and true to victory in the 1 1/16-mile Breeders’ Futurity.

The final time was 1:43.41 on a fast track. Classic Empire paid $5.20, $4.20, and $3.60 under jockey Julien Leparoux.

“This is a very, very talented horse,” said Norm Casse, assistant to his father, Mark. “The day after the Hopeful, we got right to work on him. We put blinkers on him; we breezed him out of the gate several times. It paid dividends today. We’ll more forward from here. You’ve got to think this horse has plenty of room to improve.”

With the win, Classic Empire earned an all-expenses-paid rip to the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile via the “Win and You’re In” challenge series.—Claire Novak

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Fastest Time (since 1976): 1:26:20
Greatest Winning Margin (since 1976): 10 lengths

Date	Past Winner	Trainer	Jockey	Owner
10/06/2023	Locked Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / Jose L. Ortiz Owner / Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm	Todd A. Pletcher	Jose L. Ortiz	Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm
10/07/2022	Forte Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / Irad Ortiz, Jr. Owner / Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable	Todd A. Pletcher	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable
10/08/2021	Rattle N Roll Trainer / Kenneth G. McPeek Jockey / Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. Owner / Lucky Seven Stable	Kenneth G. McPeek	Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.	Lucky Seven Stable
10/02/2020	Essential Quality Trainer / Brad H. Cox Jockey / Luis Saez Owner / Godolphin, LLC	Brad H. Cox	Luis Saez	Godolphin, LLC
10/04/2019	Maxfield Trainer / Brendan P. Walsh Jockey / Jose L. Ortiz Owner / Godolphin, LLC	Brendan P. Walsh	Jose L. Ortiz	Godolphin, LLC
10/05/2018	Knicks Go Trainer / Ben Colebrook Jockey / Albin Jimenez Owner / KRA Stud Farm	Ben Colebrook	Albin Jimenez	KRA Stud Farm
10/06/2017	Free Drop Billy Trainer / Dale L. Romans Jockey / Robby Albarado Owner / Albaugh Family Stables LLC	Dale L. Romans	Robby Albarado	Albaugh Family Stables LLC
10/07/2016	Classic Empire Trainer / Mark E. Casse Jockey / Julien R. Leparoux Owner / John C. Oxley	Mark E. Casse	Julien R. Leparoux	John C. Oxley
10/02/2015	Brody's Cause Trainer / Dale L. Romans Jockey / Corey J. Lanerie Owner / Albaugh Family Stables LLC	Dale L. Romans	Corey J. Lanerie	Albaugh Family Stables LLC
10/03/2014	Carpe Diem Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / WinStar Farm LLC and Stonestreet Stables LLC	Todd A. Pletcher	John R. Velazquez	WinStar Farm LLC and Stonestreet Stables LLC
10/04/2013	We Miss Artie Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K.	Todd A. Pletcher	John R. Velazquez	Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K.
10/05/2012	Joha Trainer / Michael J. Maker Jockey / Rajiv Maragh Owner / Bluegrass Equine Bloodstock LLC	Michael J. Maker	Rajiv Maragh	Bluegrass Equine Bloodstock LLC
10/07/2011	Dullahan Trainer / Dale L. Romans Jockey / Kent J. Desormeaux Owner / Donegal Racing	Dale L. Romans	Kent J. Desormeaux	Donegal Racing
10/08/2010	J. B.'s Thunder Trainer / Albert M. Stall, Jr. Jockey / Shaun Bridgmohan Owner / Columbine Stable LLC.	Albert M. Stall, Jr.	Shaun Bridgmohan	Columbine Stable LLC.
10/09/2009	Noble's Promise Trainer / Kenneth G. McPeek Jockey / Willie Martinez Owner / Chasing Dreams Racing 2008 LLC	Kenneth G. McPeek	Willie Martinez	Chasing Dreams Racing 2008 LLC
10/03/2008	Square Eddie Trainer / John R. Best Jockey / Rafael Bejarano Owner / J. Paul Reddam	John R. Best	Rafael Bejarano	J. Paul Reddam
10/05/2007	Wicked Style Trainer / George R. Arnold, II Jockey / Robby Albarado Owner / Ashbrook Farm	George R. Arnold, II	Robby Albarado	Ashbrook Farm
10/06/2006	Great Hunter Trainer / Doug F. O'Neill Jockey / Victor Espinoza Owner / J. Paul Reddam	Doug F. O'Neill	Victor Espinoza	J. Paul Reddam
10/07/2005	Dawn of War Trainer / Dale L. Romans Jockey / John Jacinto Owner / Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K.	Dale L. Romans	John Jacinto	Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K.
10/08/2004	Consolidator Trainer / D. Wayne Lukas Jockey / Rafael Bejarano Owner / Lewis, Robert B. and Beverly J.	D. Wayne Lukas	Rafael Bejarano	Lewis, Robert B. and Beverly J.
10/03/2003	Eurosilver Trainer / Nicholas P. Zito Jockey / Javier Castellano Owner / Buckram Oak Farm	Nicholas P. Zito	Javier Castellano	Buckram Oak Farm
10/04/2002	Sky Mesa Trainer / John T. Ward, Jr. Jockey / Edgar S. Prado Owner / John C. Oxley	John T. Ward, Jr.	Edgar S. Prado	John C. Oxley
10/05/2001	Siphonic Trainer / David E. Hofmans Jockey / Chris J. McCarron Owner / Amerman Racing LLC	David E. Hofmans	Chris J. McCarron	Amerman Racing LLC
10/07/2000	Arabian Light Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / Shane J. Sellers Owner / The Thoroughbred Corporation	Bob Baffert	Shane J. Sellers	The Thoroughbred Corporation
10/09/1999	Captain Steve Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / Garrett K. Gomez Owner / Mike Pegram	Bob Baffert	Garrett K. Gomez	Mike Pegram
10/17/1998	Cat Thief Trainer / D. Wayne Lukas Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Overbrook Farm	D. Wayne Lukas	Pat Day	Overbrook Farm
10/17/1997	Favorite Trick Trainer / Patrick B. Byrne Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Joseph Lacombe Stable, Inc.	Patrick B. Byrne	Pat Day	Joseph Lacombe Stable, Inc.
10/10/1996	Boston Harbor Trainer / D. Wayne Lukas Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Overbrook Farm	D. Wayne Lukas	Jerry D. Bailey	Overbrook Farm
10/07/1995	Honour and Glory Trainer / D. Wayne Lukas Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Michael Tabor	D. Wayne Lukas	Pat Day	Michael Tabor
10/22/1994	Tejano Run Trainer / Kenneth G. McPeek Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Roy K. Monroe	Kenneth G. McPeek	Jerry D. Bailey	Roy K. Monroe
10/23/1993	Polar Expedition Trainer / Hugh H. Robertson Jockey / Curt C. Bourque Owner / JAMES B. CODY	Hugh H. Robertson	Curt C. Bourque	JAMES B. CODY
10/17/1992	Mountain Cat Trainer / D. Wayne Lukas Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Overbrook Farm	D. Wayne Lukas	Pat Day	Overbrook Farm
10/19/1991	Dance Floor Trainer / D. Wayne Lukas Jockey / Charles R. Woods, Jr. Owner / Oaktown Stable	D. Wayne Lukas	Charles R. Woods, Jr.	Oaktown Stable
10/11/1990	Sir Bordeaux Trainer / Ronnie G. Warren Jockey / Wigberto S. Ramos Owner / Hardamon & Trislar	Ronnie G. Warren	Wigberto S. Ramos	Hardamon & Trislar
10/12/1989	Slavic Trainer / Flint S. Schulhofer Jockey / Jose A. Santos Owner / Perry W H	Flint S. Schulhofer	Jose A. Santos	Perry W H
10/19/1988	Fast Play Trainer / Claude R. McGaughey III Jockey / Angel Cordero, Jr. Owner / Phipps O	Claude R. McGaughey III	Angel Cordero, Jr.	Phipps O
10/29/1987	Forty Niner Trainer / Woodford C. Stephens Jockey / Eddie Maple Owner / Claiborne Farm	Woodford C. Stephens	Eddie Maple	Claiborne Farm
10/09/1986	Orono Trainer / Carl A. Nafzger Jockey / Sandy Hawley Owner / Bayview Farm	Carl A. Nafzger	Sandy Hawley	Bayview Farm
10/18/1985	Tasso Trainer / Neil D. Drysdale Jockey / Laffit A. Pincay, Jr. Owner / Robbins & Sams	Neil D. Drysdale	Laffit A. Pincay, Jr.	Robbins & Sams
10/19/1984	Crater Fire Trainer / D. Hal Griffitt Jockey / Daryl Montoya Owner / Crater & Hinkle IV	D. Hal Griffitt	Daryl Montoya	Crater & Hinkle IV
10/07/1983	Swale Trainer / Woodford C. Stephens Jockey / Eddie Maple Owner / Claiborne Farm	Woodford C. Stephens	Eddie Maple	Claiborne Farm
10/15/1982	Highland Park Trainer / Anthony Basile Jockey / John Lively Owner / Bwamazon Farm	Anthony Basile	John Lively	Bwamazon Farm
10/23/1981	D'Accord Trainer / Bertram R. Firestone Jockey / D. G. McHargue Owner / Firestone B R	Bertram R. Firestone	D. G. McHargue	Firestone B R
10/03/1980	Fairway Phantom Trainer / Carl A. Nafzger Jockey / John Lively Owner / Floyd W H	Carl A. Nafzger	John Lively	Floyd W H
10/12/1979	Gold Stage Trainer / William Curtis, Jr. Jockey / Don Brumfield Owner / Hofmann Mrs P B	William Curtis, Jr.	Don Brumfield	Hofmann Mrs P B
10/06/1978	Strike Your Colors Trainer / Del W. Carroll Jockey / Eddie J. Delahoussaye Owner / Farish W S III	Del W. Carroll	Eddie J. Delahoussaye	Farish W S III
10/07/1977	Gonquin Trainer / Jerry M. Fanning Jockey / Frank Olivares Owner / Scully J	Jerry M. Fanning	Frank Olivares	Scully J
10/08/1976	Run Dusty Run Trainer / William E. Adams Jockey / D. G. McHargue Owner / Golden Chance Farm Inc	William E. Adams	D. G. McHargue	Golden Chance Farm Inc