Angel of Empire Won't Run in Travers Stakes

There will not be a return trip to Saratoga Race Course this year for Angel of Empire .

The son of Classic Empire  , owned by Albaugh Family Stables, won't run in the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) Aug. 26.

Trainer Brad Cox said Aug. 11 that Angel of Empire will get some time off.

"He is going to get a little break, he needs one," Cox said outside his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track.

Angel of Empire has raced six times this year with two wins, a second, and two thirds. In his most recent start, he was third in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga July 29.

He was third in the Kentucky Derby (G1) as the 4-1 favorite and that followed a win in the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park. He finished in a dead heat for fourth with stablemate Hit Show  in the Belmont Stakes (G1).

"He was tired, very tired," Cox said of Angel of Empire after the Jim Dandy. "Now is a good time to give him a break and have him ready for, hopefully, a big campaign next year."

Angel of Empire was still at Cox's barn Friday but the plan is for him to go to WinStar Farm Aug. 12 to begin his rest period.

Cox did leave the door open a crack about Angel of Empire possibly returning to the races this season.

"I wouldn't say that," he said when it was suggested that the colt would not run again this season.

With Angel of Empire out of the Travers, it leaves Cox without a starter in the race. He ran three horses in the Jim Dandy. Saudi Crown , who was second in that race, is being pointed to the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing Sept. 23. Hit Show, the fifth-place finisher in the Jim Dandy, could go next in the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby (G3) at Remington Park Sept. 24.