The positive was found in an unraced, unnamed horse out of the mare Fast Heart that Englehart purchased for $14,000 at the OBS auction on June 15. He argued that he did not give the horse the drug and that it was had to have been given to the horse prior to his purchase at OBS. Englehart and his attorney requested that HIWU perform a segmented hair test colt, which can provide a time line for when a drug is administered. HIWU had the Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at the University of California, Davis perform the segmented test and it revealed that the Clenbuterol was in fact administered before Englehart became the trainer.

Friday, HIWU issued a statement, which read: “Following a positive test result for Clenbuterol in hair collected from Fast Heart 2021, trainer Jeffrey Englehart requested B Sample analysis and provided a formal explanation to HIWU that he believed that Clenbuterol was administered to the horse prior to his becoming the horse's Responsible Person. The right to request B Sample analysis and submit an explanation for an alleged violation is available to all Covered Persons subject to a potential violation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program.”

“Segmented analysis was performed on the B Sample of the hair by the Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at the University of California, Davis. The results of this analysis indicated that clenbuterol was administered to Fast Heart 2021 before he became a Covered Horse and before Mr. Englehart became his trainer. Thus, Mr. Englehart's explanation was confirmed, and HIWU withdrew the Equine Anti-Doping Notice that had been served on him. The case was dropped before a Provisional Suspension was imposed on Mr. Englehart or a Charge letter was served on him.

“This is great news,” said an emotional Englehart who said he did not know that the charges had been dropped until being told so by the TDN. “I'm so happy I'm shaking right now. I'm very emotional and very happy that HIWU did the right thing. The sport needs their oversight and I'm glad that in my case they decided to do the right thing.”

The colt, who was by Classic Empire, broke down on Nov. 21 at Finger Lakes and had to be euthanized. It is standard procedure for HIWU to perform tests on any horse that has to be put down, and those tests confirmed the presence of Clenbuterol, which is a banned substance. However, Clenbuterol is known to stay in a horse's system for as long as a year, which meant there was a possibility that someone gave it to the horse before he was purchased at Ocala.

The colt was purchased for $4,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearling Sale Oct. 26, 2022. The purchaser was Juan Centento, who entered the horse back in the Ocala Sales.

Centeno, who sells under the name of All Dreams Equine, has not responded to numerous phone calls, texts and emails from the TDN seeking comment. Englehart said he got Centeno on the phone for about 20 seconds before he hung up on him

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A frequent face on the mid-atlantic seaboard, he'd broken his maiden and hit the board in the Sapling S. at Monmouth Park before being shipped to Delaware, where he picked up a second career win against optional claimers. Sixth in the Rocky Run S. last October when contesting over a muddy track, Frankie's Empire made his final start for Susan Crowell at Parx, where he scored another optional claiming win.

Moved to Michael Yates in Florida, and with only one work over the track in late January, the betting public left him ice cold on the board at 14-1. Content to watch as Billal (Street Sense) and Risk It (Gun Runner) disputed the pace, he loomed the danger coming around the bend and was rolling under a full head of steam entering the lane. Inhaling 4-5 favorite Legalize (Constitution) and all challengers to his inside, Frankie's Empire drew clear by 3 1/2 lengths as fellow 13-1 longshot Le Dom Bro (Mucho Macho Man) rolled home to further burn tickets from second. Grand Mo the First (Uncle Mo) rallied from way out to take third.

The victor is the newest stakes winner for Classic Empire, who was purchased by the Korea Racing Authority, and imported to South Korea Dec. 18 for his first season in the country this year.

A half-brother to Chaparella, a stakes-placed runner turned winner producer, Frankie's Empire also claims SP Streetlady (Street Boss), a winner producer in England, as a half-sibling. He's the most recent to the races for Donna D, who produced a pair of colts after the winner–a 2-year-old by Midnight Lute and a yearling by Tapiture. She is due to Mystic Guide in 2024. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

It was wide open coming to the stretch until #9 FRANKIE'S EMPIRE ($30) emerged with the lead and pulled away to win the $125K Swale Stakes. The son of Classic Empire was ridden by Miguel Vasquez and is trained by Michael Yates.

The $125,000 Forward Gal Stakes (GIII) is up next! pic.twitter.com/uxgq9CPGFB

— TVG (@TVG) February 3, 2024

SWALE S., $125,000, Gulfstream, 2-3, 3yo, 7f, 1:24.22, ft.
1–FRANKIE'S EMPIRE, 120, c, 3, by Classic Empire
           1st Dam: Donna D (SP, $100,344), by Dixie Union
           2nd Dam: Creativity, by Notebook
           3rd Dam: She's Realistic, by In Reality
($20,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Frank DeLuca; B-Ralph Kinder & Erv Woolsey (KY); T-Michael Yates; J-Miguel Angel Vasquez. $75,950. Lifetime Record: 7-4-0-1, $185,700. *1/2 to Chaparella (Service Stripe), MSP, $163,421.
2–Le Dom Bro, 118, c, 3, Mucho Macho Man–Valiant Emilia (Per), by Pegasus Wind. ($20,000 Ylg '22 OBSWIN). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Vicente Stella Stables LLC; B-Teneri Farms Inc (KY); T-Eniel Cordero. $24,500.
3–Grand Mo the First, 120, c, 3, Uncle Mo–Lilies So Fair, by Giant's Causeway. ($125,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP; $135,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT; $335,000 RNA 2yo '23 OBSMAR). O-Granpollo Stable; B-John D. Gunther (KY); T-Victor Barboza, Jr.. $12,250.
Margins: 3HF, 3/4, NK. Odds: 14.00, 13.10, 7.80.
Also Ran: Billal, Risk It, Colorado Cruiser, Legalize. Scratched: Bentornato, Squints.

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The 9-year-old stood at the farm in Versailles, Kentucky, where he was shuttled to Chile on multiple occasions. As of 2023, his oldest foals are 4-year-olds, and his progeny have won 113 races with earnings of more than $13.5 million.

Angel of Empire is his most successful offspring, who won this year's GII Risen Star S. and like his sire, the GI Arkansas Derby. Serving as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby, the colt finished third. Classic Empire is also the sire of GISP Interstatedaydream, GSW Morello and GSW Classy Edition.

Bred in Kentucky by Steven and Brandi Nicholson and campaigned by John Oxley, Classic Empire won five of nine starts and earned $2,520,220. Named champion 2-year-old male, the Mark Casse trainee won the GIII Bashford Manor S., the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

At three, Classic Empire finished fourth in the 2017 Derby and was runner-up to Cloud Computing (Maclean's Music) in the GI Preakness S. After an abscess was discovered in his right front hoof, he was sidelined for the GI Belmont S. and never raced again.

Classic Empire joins GISW West Will Power (Bernardini) among U.S.-based newcomers to Korea for next season.

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The bay broke her maiden at second asking by a head at Saratoga Sept. 3, but was well-beaten in the GI Darley Alcibiades S. at Keeneland Oct. 6. Returning to her winning ways against allowance company after her race was taken off the grass at Churchill Downs Nov. 26, the filly went off at 8-5 here.

The Brad Cox trainee was in-tight along the rail before the first turn, but she scooted through to the take the lead. Alpine Princess controlled the pace up the backstretch and around the far turn. Unchallenged, the juvenile cruised along down the long stretch and took home the prize over stablemate West Omaha (West Coast).

The winner is her dam's first offspring, but she does have a yearling half-sister by Mitole, who was recently purchased for $95,000 at the Fasig-Tipton October Yearling Sale by Grade One Investments. A half-sister to GSP Another Miracle (American Pharoah), Le Moine visited Game Winner for 2024. Second dam SW Retraceable (Medaglia d'Oro) is a half-sister to SW Maritime Passion (Stormy Atlantic), who is responsible for MGSW Passion for Action (Speightstown).

UNTAPABLE S., $97,000, Fair Grounds, 12-23, 2yo, f, 1m 70y, 1:43.08, ft.
1–ALPINE PRINCESS, 122, f, 2, by Classic Empire
                1st Dam: Le Moine, by Curlin
                2nd Dam: Retraceable, by Medaglia d'Oro
                3rd Dam: Embraceable, by Dehere
($190,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Full of Run Racing II, LLC and Madaket Stables LLC; B-Betz/DJ Stables/Peter V. Lamantia/Classic Empire Syndicate (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Florent Geroux. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-1, $210,810.
2–West Omaha, 122, f, 2, West Coast–Birthday Bash, by Medaglia d'Oro. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Gary & Mary West Stables Inc. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $20,000.
3–Sistina Chapel, 122, f, 2, Liam's Map–Addae Do Jaguarete (Brz), by Crimson Tide (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Brownwood Farm (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. $10,000.
Margins: 2, 3, 7. Odds: 1.70, 2.20, 9.70.
Also Ran: Legadema, Band of Gold, Fibber
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

FULL RACE REPLAY
#1 ALPINE PRINCESS (8/5) earns Kentucky Oaks points winning the Untapable Stakes @fairgroundsnola for trainer @bradcoxracing & @flothejock. #FG152 @Kentuckyderby

@JohnGDooley#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/AHkIEAHrtE

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) December 23, 2023

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The Albaugh Family Stables colorbearer was given a freshening after concluding his six-race sophomore campaign with a dead-heat fourth-place finish in the GI Belmont S. June 10 and a close third-place finish in a roughly run renewal of the GII Jim Dandy S. in the slop at Saratoga July 29. Angel of Empire was also a come-from-behind winner of the GII Risen Star S. at Fair Grounds Feb. 18.

“The Triple Crown is a big ask to get through all those races and he never really had a break since he started,” Albaugh Family Stable's General Manager Jason Loutsch said.

“We try to listen to our horses. After the Jim Dandy, he came back and you could tell he had enough. We did the right thing–we obviously would've liked to press on and make the Breeders' Cup–but we gave him some time and thought that he could have a really big 4-year-old season. We're excited to get him going. I think he'll be one of the top handicap horses next year if he continues to go forward. He's doing really well right now.”

Angel of Empire, one of four graded winners for young sire Classic Empire, is the first foal out of the 7-year-old To Honor and Serve mare Armony's Angel, who brought $1.8 million from Katsumi Yoshida while in foal to Gun Runner at last month's Fasig-Tipton November Sale.

Bred in Pennsylvania by Forgotten Land Investment Inc. and Black Diamond Equine Corp., Angel of Empire was purchased by Dennis Albaugh's operation for just $70,000 during the eighth session of the Keeneland September Yearling sale. He previously RNA'd for $32,000 as a Keeneland November weanling.

“He'll get a start around March or so and we'll probably target something on (Kentucky) Derby Day,” Loutsch said. “The end goal would be to try to get to the Breeders' Cup.”

Loutsch concluded, “He's such a cool horse and he tries hard every time. He deserved the time off and we're expecting a big year from him.”

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“Any hair I had left, he made sure it was gone,” said Casse recently with a laugh. “He was a pistol. A lot of people didn't know this, but six days before the Breeders' Cup–right before we were going to ship–he came up with a foot abscess and couldn't walk. We weren't even sure we were going to get him on the plane.

“We put a three-quarter shoe on him and he won. I have that shoe in my office with the win photo.

“That just showed how truly good he was, a testament to him and his ability. It was wonderful to win it for the Oxleys. They have always been big supporters of ours and they were there, so it was special to win.”

Classic Empire (2014 bay horse, Pioneerof the Nile–Sambuca Classica, by Cat Thief)

Lifetime record: Ch. 2yo colt, MGISW, 9-5-1-1, $2,520,220

Breeders' Cup connections: B-Steven Nicholson & Brandi Nicholson (KY); O-John C. Oxley; T-Mark Casse; J-Julien Leparoux.

Location photographed: Coolmore America/Ashford Stud, Versailles, Ky.

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(4) Two Item Saver a convincing winner of race 3 with jockey @VCheminaud aboard! (2) Yes Day and (1) New Beat follow. pic.twitter.com/fJZSdIIJfj

— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) October 6, 2023

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At the end of trade, a total of 91 head had changed hands for gross receipts of $2,212,500. The average was $24,313, down from $27,222 during last year's corresponding session; while the median also dipped, from $14,000 last year to $11,500. The buyback rate was 19.5%–not far off the 18.5% it was 12 months ago.

This year's catalogue of 412 yearlings is down from the 526 it was in 2022. The opening session of 124 offerings, with a 3:00 p.m. start time, will be followed Tuesday by a longer session that begins at 11:00 a.m.

Glenn Bennett's LC Racing signed for the day's top two lots, the aforementioned New Jersey-bred Classic Empire colt consigned by Gracie Bloodstock, agent; and hip 116, a $130,000 son of leading freshman sire Maximus Mischief. The latter, a Pennsylvania-bred, was consigned by Marshall W. Silverman, agent.

LC Racing co-owns the session topper's MSW half-sister Girl Trouble (Fast Anna), and co-campaigned Grade II winner Maximus Mischief, who was acquired in the same Timonium, MD sales ring as a juvenile.

While five of the session's top six lots were colts, they were somewhat more diverse in their origins, with the breeding programs of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Maryland and Minnesota all represented.

Kilka and Connelly Cash in Early

A colt by Classic Empire provided an early jolt to the proceedings in Timonium Monday, as the well-related New Jersey-bred, consigned by Chris Gracie's Gracie Bloodstock as hip 3, was hammered down to LC Racing LLC for what was ultimately a session-topping $135,000.

Bred by Greg Kilka in partnership with Christine Connelly's Bright View Farm, the Apr. 29 foal is the third out of unraced Adorabella (Ghostzapper), a half-sister to 2022 stakes winner Alydiva (Quality Road) from the family of GSW/MGISP Gastronomical.

Kilka and Connelly paid just $14,000 for Adorabella at the 2020 Keeneland January sale, and the aforementioned black-type earned by her half-sister was certainly not the most noteworthy of updates the mare has gotten since then. The Fast Anna filly Adorabella was carrying at the time, who brought $15,000 at this auction in 2021, blossomed into multiple runaway Parx stakes winner and $283,000-plus earner Girl Trouble (Fast Anna). Adorabella's second foal is the flashy juvenile Book'em Danno (Bucchero), who crushed fellow Jersey-breds by 9 1/2 lengths first out at Monmouth for Atlantic Six Racing and trainer Derek Ryan in August before adding the open Smoke Glacken S. back at the Shore last month.

“I think it aligned with expectations. We've struck it rich, so to speak, with this mare that Chris Gracie picked out for us a few years ago,” said Kilka. “The mare, Adorabella, is throwing really nice babies and they all kind of have a similar way about them–they're all smart, they all walk very well, and now it has translated to the racetrack with the first two babies being Girl Trouble and Book'em Danno. This one's very similar to those.”

Kilka is a shareholder in Book'em Danno's young Florida-based sire, and was acquiring mares for Bucchero at the time.

“Chris picked the mare out,” Kilka said. “The page was a little light, but it was a young and active family and Chris suggested taking a shot. She's turned out to be a great purchase… Initially we acquired a few mares [for Bucchero], both with Chris and some I did on my own–the ones I did with Chris have been the most successful. We thought she aligned really well with Bucchero and we wanted to support the stallion in his first couple seasons. [Book'em Danno] has turned out to be very good so far.”

Book'em Danno was solid privately as a yearling after Girl Trouble had broken her maiden, but before she successfully stepped into stakes company. While Kilka and Connelly hadn't fully been able to cash in on Adorabella's production prowess as sellers until Monday, Kilka was quick to dismiss the notion that seeing Book'em Danno's success on the track might be bittersweet.

“It's all positive feelings; this is not an easy game,” he said. “We bred the horse to sell him, and we thought he would be a nice horse–you never know how nice they're going to be–but there are no regrets. We're happy to see the current ownership group having success with him. They're a group of Jersey guys and I'm happy to see that.”

Kilka and Connelly have set themselves up for further financial gain down the road, as they leveled up significantly from a stud fee perspective in choosing Adorabella's most recent mate, Medaglia d'Oro, who commanded a fee of $100,000 this past season.

“We have no plans to sell the mare as of now, although there have been inquiries. I guess for the right inquiry it's always possible,” Kilka said. “We'll see what happens with this Medaglia d'Oro baby and go from there.”

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With Ricardo Santana Jr. aboard, Brightwork produced fractions of :24.60, :48.60 and galloped out 5 furlongs in 1:01.40. Last Friday here, Brightwork produced a best-of-20 half-mile in :47.

“That was very perfect, and I am grateful that Ricardo made the drive over from Louisville both times to work her,” trainer John Ortiz said. “Last week was a good drill for speed, and this morning was to maintain that speed.”

Ortiz is pointing another runner to next Friday's stakes in 4 G Racing's Crown Imperial (Classic Empire). Winner of the Pepsi Untapable S. at Kentucky Downs, Crown Imperial is considered probable for the GII Jessamine S. Crown Imperial worked a half-mile in :49.20 at Churchill Downs Friday morning.

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