Angel of Empire works out at Churchill Downs Tuesday, May 2, 2023. The Pennsylvania-bred colt, third in the Kentucky Derby, will be given the rest of the year off and return in 2024. FILE PHOTOPa.-bred Thoroughbred horse Angel of Empire, a Grade 1 winner who finished third in this year’s Kentucky Derby as the post time favorite, has earned himself a vacation. And, he’s going to get one.
“He’s a horse that’s asking for time and he’s going to get it,” Cox said. “He’s been very good to us, we’re going to be good to him. This gives us an opportunity to hit the reset button and get him ready for a 2024 campaign.” Cox told Daily Racing Form. Prior to that, the colt dead-heated for fourth in the Belmont Stakes following his third-place Kentucky Derby showing.
“He’s danced a lot of dances, played in two-thirds of the Triple Crown, and came up here and I thought ran a tremendous race in the Jim Dandy,” Cox told DRF.