LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Classic Empire made the most of all 1,234-1/2 feet of the Churchill Downs stretch while signaling that hes a horse with a future.Classic Empire surged by heavy favorite Recruiting Ready in the final strides to win the 115th running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Bashford Manor Stakes by three-quarters of a length Saturday night. The colt appeared to relish the added ground he got in the six-furlong stakes for 2-year-olds, putting him in a promising position as distances begin to stretch out for the division.The way that he breezes and trains in the morning, hes much more effective when hes able to go out and relax and settle into stride, said Norm Casse, the head assistant to his father, Mark. Sprinting is obviously not something where you get to do that. So going forward, I think hes definitely going to be much more effective around two turns.Recruiting Ready, who was coming off a 10-1/4-length debut win in May in which he flirted with a Pimlico track record, was away swiftly from the outside post in the field of nine, and quickly cleared the field through an opening quarter-mile in 21.76 seconds. He still led by a measured length and was moving easily through the half in 45.07. Meanwhile, Classic Empire ($11.40), who had ducked in at the start while breaking from the rail under Julien Leparoux, was seventh after a quarter-mile and had worked his way up to fourth after a half, but was still 6-1/2 lengths back of the leader.Classic Empire shifted into the three path to take dead aim on Recruiting Ready, who led by 3-1/2 lengths and looked home free in midstretch. But the eventual winner simply inhaled ground inside the final sixteenth to run down the favorite -- also convincing Leparoux that he will be better going longer.The other one left there quick, but I knew my horse was running, Leparoux said. At the quarter pole, I knew he was going to run good, but I didnt know if he was going to catch him or not. The first time he won at 4-1/2 furlongs, it was almost too quick for him, and he still won. Today at six furlongs, he liked it a bit more.The top two were well clear of the rest of the field, with Tip Tap Tapizar, nine lengths back in third. The final time was the second-fastest in the races history, 1:09.39.A son of classic sire Pioneerof the Nile, Classic Empire was a $474,000 purchase by prominent Casse client John Oxley out of last falls Keeneland September yearling sale. The colt came into the Bashford Manor off a 1 1/2-length debut victory on May 4 at Churchill Downs, in which he looked to finish full of run after also being slow to get into stride.Hes still a little shy, and you could tell when he broke, he broke in a little bit, Norm Casse said. But it ended up working out to his advantage -- the pace set up for him, and he was able to run down a really talented horse today. I really have a lot of respect for the horse that he beat. And hes something we can all look forward to. Lonnie Johnson Jersey . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. Arian Foster Womens Jersey . Numbers Game examines the deal that sees Michael Del Zotto and Kevin Klein switch places. The Predators Get: D Michael Del Zotto. http://www.officialhoustontexanspro.com/Lonnie-johnson-texans-jersey/ . Only three players drafted by NHL clubs were included on the Czech selection camp roster on Wednesday. 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Just weeks after All Blacks prop Owen Franks was cleared of an alleged eye-gouge of Wallabies lock Kane Douglas, Top 14 fly-half Matthieu Ugale from Brive was seen making eye contact with Grenobles Armand Battle.Its an act of foul play seen too often in rugby, so at ESPN weve listed some of the worst incidents of eye-gouging from around the world.Richard NonesColomiers prop Richard Nones, the only professional player to have received the maximum ban for eye-gouging, sat on the sideline for two years, from 1999 to 2001, for his dirty act during a Heineken Cup Pool Four match at Pontypridd.While the French player received the longest ban, his act surely isnt the worst of eye-gouging incidents throughout world rugby.David AttoubTaking out the second longest ban for eye-gouging, Stade Francais prop David Attoub was handed a 70-week suspension after he was found guilty of gouging Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris in 2010.Judge Jeff Blackett later said it was the worst act of contact with the eyes that I have had to deal with: it is a case of deliberate eye-gouging.The worst part; this wasnt the first time he had received a suspension for gouging, with the prop also standing down over an incident in a European match during the 2004-05 season.Teammate Julien Dupuy was also handed a 24-week ban, reduced to 23 on appeal, for his role in the incident.Dylan HartleyThe bad boy of England rugby, Dylan Hartley, has a rap sheet a mile-long adding up to a years worth of suspensions, with his eye-gouging ban making up a large part of the numbers.Hartley, now Englands captain, has been banned for biting, punching, elbowing and verbally abusing a referee, but his 26 week ban for gouging takes the cake.In 2007, Hartley was found guilty of two counts of gouging in the same game - one of current England teammate James Haskell and was ruled out of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.Mariano GalarzaArgentina forward Mariano Galarza missed out on most of Argentinas amazing 2015 Rugby World Cup run after he was baanned for nine weeks for eye-gouging All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick.ddddddddddddThe replacement forward was found guilty of making eye contact with the eye or the eye area after he was spotted following making contact with Retallicks eyes in the 25th minute of their Pool C fixture.Bakkies BothaOne of the worst serial offenders for dirty play has been South Africas Bakkies Botha. Head-butting, stamping and illegal cleanouts are just the start for this Springboks star with Botha receiving an eight week ban for an incident with Wallabies hooker Brendan Cannon.In 2004, the Test rugby bad boy was suspended after he got up close and personal with Cannons eyes and shoulder. While video footage was inconclusive, Cannon remarked Botha had left a bite mark in his right shoulder and later put his fingers in both of Cannons eyes.Schalk BurgerBothas teammate Schalk Burger can also claims a dirty track record with the 33-year-old dealt an eight week ban for his attack on British & Irish Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald in 2009.Burger remarkably escaped with just a yellow card during the game despite being caught by touch judge Bryce Lawrence as he stuck his fingers into Fitzgeralds eyes just 28 seconds into the match.While Burgers actions were disgusting, South Africa coach Peter de Villiers also landed himself in hot water after he defended Burgers actions and claimed the actions did not deserve a yellow card and that they were part of sport.Tomas FrancisWales prop Tomas Francis managed to escape punishment on field punishment for this foul play, but it didnt last once the citing commission got a hold of it.Francis was seen rubbing his fingers over Englands Dan Coles eyes and while referee Craig Joubert took no action against the Welsh replacement despite watching replays on the big screens, Francis was found guilty of the offence and was banned for eight weeks. 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