A trio of trainer Brad Cox's Kentucky Derby (G1) runners, including Angel of Empire, who finished third as the post-time favorite at 4-1 odds, recorded their first breezes Sunday morning at Churchill Downs since running in the Louisville classic on the first Saturday in May.
At 5:30 a.m. (ET), Angel of Empire recorded an easy half-mile move in :49. The colt, owned by Albaugh Family Stables, is possible to run in the $1.5-million Belmont Stakes (GI) on June 10.
A Pennsylvania-bred Classic Empire colt, Angel of Empire was tenth at the quarter pole in the Derby but unleashed a ground-devouring rally to gain the show spot, a half-length behind Two Phil's.
“Angel of Empire just kept coming and coming, so big effort on his part,” Cox said after of the Derby.
The colt entered the race off back-to-back wins in the Arkansas Derby (G1) April 1 at Oaklawn and Risen Star (G2) Feb. 18 at Fair Grounds.
Shortly after his move, Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Jonathan Poulin, Derrick Smith, and Michael B. Tabor's Verifying, who finished a disappointing 16th in the Derby, worked a half-mile in :49.60.
At 7:45 a.m., Gary and Mary West's Hit Show, who finished fifth in the Derby, breezed a half-mile in :49.40.
Hit Show and Verifying's next starts have yet to be determined.
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