Preakness Weekend commences in earnest Friday with six stakes races at Pimlico, anchored by the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) and Pimlico Special (G3).

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.