Old Town Road Puts on Impressive Display in Second Victory

Classic Empire’s Old Town Road (2c Classic Empire x Pi Bella, by Pioneering) stayed undefeated on Tuesday with an easy victory at Belterra for Colonel Stable.

Racing over six furlongs on the dirt, the colt gave the field a head start when stumbling at the start. David Flores let the colt get his feet back under him with the runner over five lengths behind the pacesetter for much of the run and then Old Town Road’s talent shined. He proved to be much the best and flew down the stretch to catch the longtime leader and cruise by to win by three lengths.

The rest of the field was far behind with Old Town Road having nearly 11 lengths on the third place finisher.

The first winner for Classic Empire earlier this year, Old Town Road races in the colors of breeder Doug Arnold Jr.’s Colonel Stable and is trained by Wesley Ward.

Old Town Road is out of the stakes-placed Pi Bella, who has produced four winners from four to race. That mare is a half-sister to stakes winner Carbella and to the dam of stakes winner Sky of Hook.

Pi Bella had a full brother to Old Town Road last year who is entered in the Keeneland September Sale as Hip 2028. She also had a Munnings colt this year as well.

A champion himself, Classic Empire is quickly proving to be a talented sire with four stakes performers including stakes winning First Empire. In all, Classic Empire’s four stakes performers is third best among all North American freshmen.