Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Angel of Empire
Feb 26, 2023
Albaugh
Family Stables’ Angel of Empire thrust himself to the head of the
2023 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series for his one-length score in the $400,000
Risen Star S. (G2) at Fair Grounds on Feb. 18. Piloted by Luis Saez, the
winner clocked 1 1/8 miles on the fast main surface in 1:51.47 to register his
first black-type victory for conditioner Brad Cox.
Angel of Empire was bred in Pennsylvania by Forgotten Land Investment and Black
Diamond Equine Corporation, and passed through the auction ring on a pair of
occasions. The colt was a $32,000 RNA as a weanling at Keeneland November in
2020, prior to reaching a final bid of $70,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September
Yearling Sale. He is the first foal out of the To Honor and Serve mare Armony’s
Angel, who is a half-sister to Grade 2 victor Conquest Big E.
Angel
of Empire made his debut at Indiana Grand on August 9 and rallied from off the
pace to deliver a win while running one-mile over a sloppy, sealed oval. He
finished unplaced on the lawn at Kentucky Downs in his second assignment, prior
to closing out his two-year-old season with a 6 1/4-length allowance triumph at
Indiana on November 14.
The
son of Classic Empire preceded his Risen Star success with a runner-up
performance in the Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park on January 1.
Angel
of Empire registered Brisnet Speed figures of
69-76-86-97 from his first four tries on the dirt. The bay colt has some stamina
influences on both sides of his pedigree, and possesses the running
style that indicates that he will be capable of running longer with continued
development.
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