Angel of Empire Shines in Arkansas Derby
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Photo: Coady Photography
Angel of Empire draws away to win the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park
For the connections of a vast majority of 3-year-olds, it's the mile-and-a-quarter distance of the Kentucky Derby (G1) that causes palpitations.
But for Angel of Empire , it is the more the merrier.
Living up to the faith trainer Brad Cox and his owners had in the son of Classic Empire 's stamina, Albaugh Family Stables' Angel of Empire took charge at the top of the stretch and drew away to post a 4 1/4-length victory in the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby April 1 at Oaklawn Park and cement his role as one of the top choices for the May 6 Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs.
"It was a big run," Cox said after winning the Arkansas Derby for a second straight year after his initial success with Cyberknife in 2022. "We always saw him as a mile-and-a-quarter, mile-and-an-eighth horse, and now he's won twice at a mile-and-an-eighth. His sire won this race and I think he'll do better with more distance."
Though the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby offered 100-40-30-20-10 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, that did not matter to the Pennsylvania-bred Angel of Empire. He had already secured a spot in the Derby field by winning the Risen Star Stakes (G2) in his last start and finishing second in the Smarty Jones Stakes to give him 54 points before Saturday's stakes.
Beyond the 100 points he earned, it was the way he rallied from seventh and drew off with gusto in the stretch of the nine-furlong test, well ahead of 58-1 runner-up King Russell , that painted him as a major threat for Kentucky Derby favorite Forte , who won the Florida Derby (G1) earlier in the day at Gulfstream Park.
Angel of Empire wins the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park
"I can't wait until the first Saturday in May. It's going to be a long, five-week wait," said Jason Loutsch, one of the owners and racing manager for Albaugh Family Stable. "We couldn't be more excited. I thought he dominated this race and we're going to Kentucky with a lot of confidence. I hope people believe what we've been saying about his stamina now."
The Albaugh team picked up a third by Cyclone Mischief in the Florida Derby and now have three horses they own either outright or in a partnership in the top 20, with Jace's Road 14th with 45 points and Cyclone Mischief 15th, also with 45 points. The three 200-point preps on April 8 and the 40-point Lexington Stakes (G3) on April 15 plus late defections will ultimately determine the field of 20 for the opening leg of the Triple Crown. Churchill Downs officials use points as a preference system when the race oversubscribes.
"It would be fantastic if we can get three horses in the Derby," Loutsch said, "but I know we have one."
That "one" was a decisive winner Saturday in a field of 10 Saturday that seemed evenly matched with four 3-year-olds sent off at odds between 5-2 to 9-2. Angel of Empire ($11.40) was the longest-priced of the foursome, which seemed quite generous after he covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.68 on a fast track.
Two Eagles River set the early fractions of :23.27,:47.26 and 1:12.24, while being pressed by 3-1 second choice Reincarnate . Approaching the quarter pole, the Tim Yakteen-trained Reincarnate launched his bid for the lead, but moving best of all was Angel of Empire under Flavien Prat. They were seventh early but swept past the field four-wide and powered to the lead in early stretch.
From there the race was for minor placings.
"We couldn't be more proud. Brad did a great job of getting him ready and Flavien rode an unbelievable race. We thought there would be a little pace and he sat right off it perfectly and at the 3/8ths pole I thought we had the winner," Loutsch said.
Connections in the winner's circle at Oaklawn Park
The first foal from the To Honor and Serve mare Armony's Angel , Angel of Empire was bred by Forgotten Land Investment and Black Diamond Equine in Pennsylvania and bought by the Albaugh family for $70,000 from the Warrendale consignment at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He has now made $1,069,375.
Brereton C. Jones and Naber Racing's King Russell rallied from ninth to take second by a half-length over Reincarnate. A maiden winner for trainer Ron Moquette in his last start, the 40 points for his runner-up finish lifted the son of Creative Cause into 17th in the race for 20 spots, with the 20th spot guaranteed to Japan's Continuar .
Reincarnate, a son of Good Magic owned by a partnership headed by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, and Madaket Stables, netted 30 points and with 45 is 13th on the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard, ahead of the two Albaugh horses based on higher graded stakes earnings.
Frank Fletcher Racing Operations' Rocket Can , the 5-2 favorite, was a head back in fourth, but his 20 points, when added to his previous 40 points, give him 60, lifting him into seventh on the Kentucky Leaderboard. The Bill Mott-trained colt of a spot in the Run for the Roses.