Backing up his victory in the Feb. 18 Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds, Albaugh Family Stables’ Angel of Empire stormed to an even more decisive success in Saturday’s $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park.

After an admirable second to loose-on-the-lead stablemate Victory Formation in the Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park, Angel of Empire thrived with added ground, and a contested pace, in Saturday’s Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds.