Angel of Empire

Angel of Empire (foaled April 9, 2020) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Grade I Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park and Grade II Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds in 2023 as a three-year-old.[2]

Angel of Empire
SireClassic Empire
GrandsirePioneerof the Nile
DamArmony's Angel
DamsireSambuca Classica
SexColt
Foaled (2020-04-09) April 9, 2020[1]
CountryUnited States
ColorBay
BreederForgotten Land Investment Inc & Black Diamond Equine
OwnerAlbaugh Family Stables
TrainerBrad H. Cox
Record7: 4-2-0
Earnings$1,369,375[2]
Major wins
Risen Star Stakes (2023)
Arkansas Derby (2023)
Last updated on May 7, 2023

Background

Angel of Empire is a bay colt that was bred in Pennsylvania by Forgotten Land Investment and Black Diamond Equine and bought by the Albaugh family for $70,000 from the Warrendale consignment at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is the first foal from the To Honor and Serve mare Armony's Angel. Angel of Empire was also a $32,000 (Reserve Not Attained) at the 2020 Keeneland November Mixed Sale when consigned by agent St. George Sales.[3]

He was sired by Classic Empire, winner of the 2016 Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park and also won the Arkansas Derby in 2017.[4] Classic Empire stands at Ashford Stud for $15,000 in 2023. His dam Armony's Angel was winless in eight start but she's a daughter of sire To Honor and Serve who won of the Grade II Nashua Stakes and Grade II Remsen Stakes running long distances as a juvenile.[5]

Angel of Empire is trained by Brad H. Cox.

Racing career

2022: two-year-old season

Angel of Empire ran three times in 2022 for two wins at Horseshoe Indianapolis. His lone defeat was on the turf track at Kentucky Downs[2]

2023: three-year-old season

Angel of Empire began his three-year-old campaign on New Year's Day at Oaklawn Park in the one mile Listed Smarty Jones Stakes finishing second by three lengths to odds-on favorite Victory Formation.[6]

Trainer Bad Cox sent Angel of Empire to New Orleans when he stunned a full field of fourteen in the Risen Star Stakes winning by one length at odds of nearly 14/1.[7]

Angel of Empire returned to Oaklawn Park where he finished strongly to win the Grade I Arkansas Derby, a Road to the Kentucky Derby event by 4+1⁄4 lengths in a time of 1:49.68 and easily qualifying for the 2023 Kentucky Derby.[3]

Statistics
Date Distance Race Grade Track Odds Field Finish Winning
Time		 Winning
(Losing)
Margin		 Jockey Ref
2022 – Two-year-old season
Aug 9, 2022 1 mile Maiden Special Weight Indianapolis 1.90* 7 1 1:41.40 1+1⁄2 lengths Marcelino Pedroza Jr. [8]
Sep 8, 2022 6+1⁄2 furlongs Allowance Kentucky Downs 3.80 8 6 1:17.94 (8+3⁄4 lengths) Florent Geroux [9]
Nov 14, 2022 1 mile Allowance Indianapolis 2.50* 8 1 1:38.69 6+1⁄4 lengths Marcelino Pedroza Jr. [10]
2023 – Three-year-old season
Jan 1, 2023 1 mile Smarty Jones Stakes Listed Oaklawn Park 18.10 8 2 1:38.14 (3 lengths) Joe Talamo [6]
Feb 18, 2023 1+1⁄8 miles Risen Star Stakes II Fair Grounds 13.70 14 1 1:51.47 1 length Luis Saez [7]
Apr 1, 2023 1+1⁄8 miles Arkansas Derby I Oaklawn Park 4.70 10 1 1:49.68 4+1⁄4 lengths Flavien Prat [11]
May 6, 2023 1+1⁄4 miles Kentucky Derby I Churchill Downs 4.06* 18 3 2:01.57 (1+1⁄2 lengths) Flavien Prat [12]

Legend:
  Turf   Dirt
Notes:
An (*) asterisk after the odds means Angel of Empire was the post-time favorite.

    Pedigree
    Pedigree of Angel of Empire, Bay colt, April 9, 2020[1]
    Sire
    Classic Empire
    (2014)    		 Pioneerof the Nile
    (2006)    		 Empire Maker
    (2000)    		 Unbridled (1987)
    Toussaud (1989)
    Star Of Goshen
    (1994)    		 Lord At War (ARG) (1980)
    Castle Eight (1984)
    Sambuca Classica
    (2004)    		 Cat Thief
    (1996)    		 Storm Cat (1983)
    Train Robbery (1987)
    In Her Glory
    (1990)    		 Miswaki (1978)
    Forever Waving (1980)
    Dam
    Armony's Angel
    (2016)    		 To Honor and Serve
    (2008)    		 Bernardini
    (2003)    		 A.P. Indy (1989)
    Cara Rafaela (1993)
    Pilfer
    (2001)    		 Deputy Minister (CAN) (1979)
    Misty Hour (1995)
    Seeinsbelieven
    (2002)    		 Carson City
    (1987)    		 Mr. Prospector (1970)
    Blushing Promise (1982)
    Coragil
    (1993)    		 Metfeld (1982)
    White Jasmine (1977) (family 26)[13]

    References
    1. "Pedigree of Angel of Empire". Equineline. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
    2. "Profile of Angel of Empire". Equibase. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
    3. Ehalt, Bob (April 1, 2023). "Angel of Empire Shines in Arkansas Derby; The Brad Cox trainee took his second straight race after winning the Risen Star (G2)". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
    4. "Profile of Classic Empire". Equibase. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
    5. Johnson, J. Keeler (February 20, 2023). "Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Angel of Empire". twinspires.com. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
    6. "2023 Smarty Jones Stakes Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. January 1, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
    7. "2023 Risen Star Stakes presented by Lamarque Lincoln and Lamarque Crescent City Ford Grade 2 - (race 13)". Equibase. February 18, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
    8. "Horseshoe Indianapolis: Maiden Special Weight (race 4)". www.equibase.com. August 9, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
    9. "Kentucky Downs: Allowance (race 4)". www.equibase.com. September 8, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
    10. "Horseshoe Indianapolis: Allowance (race 5)". www.equibase.com. November 14, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
    11. "2023 Arkansas Derby Grade 1 - (race 12)". Equibase. April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
    12. "2023 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve Grade 1 (race 12)". Equibase. May 6, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
    13. "Thoroughbred Bloodlines – OLD MERLIN MARE (GB) – Family 26". www.bloodlines.net. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
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