Classic Empire Now the 5-1 Odds Favorite to Win 2017 Kentucky Derby

Following his Arkansas Derby win, Classic Empire has been instilled as the 5-1 odds favorite to win the 2017 Kentucky Derby.

“I’ve never once counted him out,” trainer Mark Casse said heading into the Arkansas Derby. “I know a lot of people have. I feel that ability-wise, he is the most talented horse out there right now.”

Classic Empire won the Breeders' Futurity Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile and is the sire of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.  His odds have been reduced from 5/1 to 8/1 over the past 48 hours.

Classic Empire is far from healthy, however, as he entered the Arkansas Derby with a foot abscess and bad back.

"Finally," Casse said. "It's relief, I guess, and maybe disbelief, that we were able to, after all the obstacles that were thrown our way, to achieve it. There's so many people that helped with this at our farm, everywhere. It's been tense."

This does beg the question: How will a 100 percent healthy Classic Empire perform?

Here are all your 2017 Kentucky Derby early odds:

- Mary Montgomery, Gambling911.com