First Empire Another Winner for Classic Empire

First Empire (2c Classic Empire x Silsita, by Macho Uno) became the sixth winner for his sire on Sunday with a three quarter length victory in a Maiden Special Weight.

Racing over six furlongs on the Woodbine turf, First Empire was among the first to jump and he quickly had his head in front. Pressured throughout, First Empire refused to give up and continued to do just enough to stay in front.

In the final sixteenth, he opened up over a length and only saw his margin cut down in final few strides of the race.

Bred by Saintsbury Farms in Ontario, First Empire was purchased by racing owner Harlequin Ranches at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale and was sent to Mark Casse.

First Empire is out of Grade III winner Silsita, a daughter of multiple stakes placed Naturally Wild. Each of First Empire’s first three dams are stakes winners or performers with his third dam the three-time stakes winner Nat’s Lea.

Silsita had an Uncle Mo colt this year.

Classic Empire’s six winners puts his fifth best among all North American freshman sires with at least three fewer runners than any of the top four sires.