Already deep in Triple Crown prospects, Brad Cox snared another Kentucky Derby qualifying prep race on Saturday when Albaugh Family Stables' Angel of Empire split horses in mid-stretch under Luis Saez and went on to win Saturday's Grade 2, $400,000 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, La.
One of three runners for Cox in the Risen Star's field of 14 3-year-olds, Angel of Empire – a Pennsylvania-bred colt from the second crop of the Pioneerof the Nile stallion Classic Empire – was sent off at odds of 13-1 and paid $29.40 to win after covering 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.47.
Sun Thunder, a 16-1 longshot for Kenny McPeek, finished one length behind the winner in second, with Larry Rivelli-trained Two Phil's 1 3/4 lengths farther back in third after battling with the runner-up for the lead for much of the stretch run. Cox-trained Tapit's Conquest finished fourth, with Keith Desormeaux-trained Single Ruler fifth. Cox's third entry, 9-5 favorite Victory Formation, winner of the Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Jan. 1, was prominent early but faded late to be ninth.
Angel of Empire moved to the top of the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 54 points after earning 50 qualifying points for the Risen Star win. The second through fifth finishers earned 20-15-10-5 points respectively. Kentucky Derby leaderboard.
Previous Triple Crown prep races won by Cox include the G3 Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds with Instant Coffee, the G3 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct with Hit Show, and the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds with Jace's Road. Other promising 3-year-olds in the Cox barn are Verifying, Giant Mischief, and Eyeing Clover.
“He's been working very well at Oaklawn and we knew he'd love the distance,” Cox said of Angel of Empire. “He's a mile and an eight, mile and a quarter horse.”
Earlier in the day, Cox recorded his 2,000th career victory with 3-year-old maiden winner Bishops Bay, one of four winners he saddled on the 13-race Fair Grounds card. The two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer said the G2 Louisiana Derby, G1 Arkansas Derby, and G1 Blue Grass Stakes would be under consideration for Angel of Empire. “We'll let the dust settle,” he said. “See how he comes out of it and go from there.”
Determinedly and Reylu Gutierrez seized the early advantage in the Risen Star, going the opening quarter mile in :23.34 and the half in :47.50. Harlocap and John Velazquez, second early, gained a narrow advantage going into the far turn, passing six furlongs in 1:12.21, but they were quickly taken on by Two Phil's and Jareth Loveberry, Sun Thunder and Brian Hernandez Jr. raced in 12th early and moved into contention rounding the final turn while looking for racing room. When he found a seam, Hernandez drove Sun Thunder to a narrow advantage over Two Phil's with an eighth of a mile to run, the first mile clocked in 1:38.52.
Angel of Empire settled into a ground-saving position early while racing ninth. Saez moved him into closer contact with the leaders entering the far turn, rallied five wide into the stretch and had the most momentum after reaching the furlong grounds.
The winner, an April 9 foal, was bred in Pennsylvania by Forgotten Land Investment Inc. and Black Diamond Equine Corp. Produced from Armony's Angel, by To Honor and Serve, Angel of Empire was purchased by Iowa-based Albaugh Family Stable for $70,000 from the Warrendale Sales consignment at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
The win was the third in five lifetime starts for Angel of Empire.He finished second behind stablemate Victory Formation in his previous start, the Smarty Jones Stakes, Jan. 1 at Oaklawn.
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