Angel of Empire scores easy win in $1M Arkansas Derby

Angel of Empire won the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby by 4 1/4 lengths Saturday, putting him on a path to the Kentucky Derby in May.

Ridden by Flavien Prat, Angel of Empire ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.68 at Oaklawn. Sent off at 9-2 odds, he paid $11.40, $5.80 and $4.40.

King Russell returned $34.40 and $12.20 at 58-1 odds. Reincarnate paid $3.60 to show.

Angel of Empire earned 100 qualifying points for the May 6 Kentucky Derby. He won the Risen Star in his previous start and finished second in the Smarty Jones on Jan. 1.

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Like Smarty Jones, who won the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness, Angel of Empire is a Pennsylvania bred. A son of 2017 Arkansas Derby winner Classic Empire, he was purchased for $70,000.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Jason Loutsch, part of winning owner Albaugh Family Stable. “I saw at the three-eighths pole he was really moving, holy cow. I was with my brother and hugging him.”

Albaugh Family Stable also owns Cyclone Mischief, who finished third in the $1 million Florida Derby on Saturday.

“Days like this are just unreal,” Loutsch said. “We’re excited to get to Churchill.”