2017 Kentucky Derby favorite Classic Empire once pulled U-turn mid-race

Dave DeLuca

2017 Kentucky Derby favorite Classic Empire once pulled U-turn mid-race image

Classic Empire heads into the 2017 Kentucky Derby as a 4-1 favorite to win the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs.

 However, if you didn't know, Classic Empire has some infamous history.

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At the 2016 Hopeful Stakes, Classic Empire pulled a U-turn mid-race and chucked his rider to the dirt. Considering race horses are some of the most well-trained, intelligent colts in the world, it's extremely rare to see a horse hit the brakes and head the wrong way.

Watch the mishap below:

Just two months ago, Classic Empire's erratic behavior returned when he refused to participate in a timed workout. 

"Everyone wants to make him out to be this bad boy, but he's not," trainer Mark Casse told ESPN. "That's not him. Now, he does see things that others don't see, but that doesn't make him bad."

In Classic Empire's defense, the quicks may have stemmed from foot and back injuries that ended up forcing him to miss some time. 

Dave DeLuca

Dave DeLuca is an intern at Sporting News and a recent graduate of Buffalo State. He's a former intern and digital editor at The Buffalo News and executive editor of The Record, Buffalo State's student-run newspaper.