The Ankeny-owned horse Angel of Empire raced to a third-place finish in the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville. He earned a purse of $300,000.
Angel of Empire, owned by Albaugh Family Stables, came from well off the pace to make a strong charge down the stretch. He finished 1 1/2 lengths behind the winner, 15-1 longshot Mage, and paid $4.70 on a $2 show bet.
Mage also came from behind to take the lead, then held on for the win. He finished a length ahead of runner-up Two Phil’s.
Angel of Empire was one of three Albaugh horses in the race. Jace’s Road and Cyclone Mischief were also part of the 18-horse field, finishing 17th and 18th, respectively.
Angel of Empire was 8-1 in the morning line, but he became the betting favorite at 4-1 after pre-race favorite Forte was scratched on Saturday morning because of a foot injury. A total of five horses were forced to be removed from the field, the most scratches in the Derby since 1936.
The scratches allowed Cyclone Mischief, who was not originally part of the field, to enter the race.
Angel of Empire could be headed to the Preakness, the next jewel in the Triple Crown, on May 20 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Or, with his come-from-behind running style, he could be targeted for the 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes on June 11 at Belmont Park in New York City.