Thursday tab: Angel of Empire returns, leads 8 graded winners

Angel of Empire, unraced since last year's Grade 2 Jim Dandy, is back at work.

The 4-year-old Classic Empire colt worked three furlongs at Winstar Training Center on Thursday morning, fastest of eight at the distance.

Angel of Empire won last year's Risen Star (G2) and Arkansas Derby (G1) for trainer Brad Cox and finished third as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby. He then was fourth in the Belmont Stakes and third in the Jim Dandy.

Angel of Empire was one of eight graded-stakes winners with published works Thursday.

Angel of Empire (Classic Empire), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Arkansas Derby), worked three furlongs in 37.4 seconds at Winstar Training Center on Thursday morning. It was the fastest of eight works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going three furlongs at Winstar Training Center. In his last start he placed third in the Jim Dandy (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Saratoga on July 29, 2023, for trainer Brad Cox.

Aspen Grove (Justify), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Belmont Oaks Invitational), worked four furlongs in 53.5 seconds at Saratoga on Thursday morning. It was the slowest of 13 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she won an allowance race going 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Saratoga on Aug. 8 for trainer Jack Sisterson.

Fev Rover (Gutaifan), a Grade 1 winner (2023 Beverly D.), worked four furlongs in 48.8 seconds at Woodbine on Thursday morning. It was the 10th fastest of 27 works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed second in the Beverly D. (G2) going 1 3/16 miles on the turf at Colonial Downs on Aug. 11 for trainer Mark Casse.

Rhyme Schemes (Ghostzapper), a Grade 2 winner (2023 Saratoga Special), worked four furlongs in 50.8 seconds at Churchill Downs on Thursday morning. It was the 41st fastest of 45 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed second in an allowance race going six furlongs on the main track at Ellis Park on Aug. 3 for trainer Norm Casse.

Mr. Wireless (Dialed In), a two-time Grade 3 winner (2021 West Virginia Derby, 2021 Indiana Derby), worked four furlongs in 49.0 seconds at Churchill Downs on Thursday morning. It was the 18th fastest of 45 works at the distance. This was his first work since his last race. In his last start he placed sixth in the R.A. "Cowboy" Jones going one mile on the main track at Ellis Park on Aug. 11 for trainer Bret Calhoun.

Foggy Night (Khozan), a Grade 3 winner (2023 Delaware Oaks), worked three furlongs in 35.6 seconds at Parx Racing on Thursday morning. It was the faster of two works at the distance. Her previous work was 33 days ago going four furlongs at Parx Racing. In her last start she placed sixth in an allowance race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Parx Racing on July 8 for trainer Butch Reid.

Kopion (Omaha Beach), a Grade 3 winner (2024 Santa Ynez), worked two furlongs in 24.2 seconds at Del Mar on Thursday morning. It was the faster of two works at the distance. This was her first work since her last race. In her last start she placed fourth in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Santa Anita on April 6 for trainer Richard Mandella.

Red Flag (Tamarkuz), a Grade 3 winner (2020 Bob Hope), worked five furlongs in 1:00.4 at Del Mar on Thursday morning. It was the sixth fastest of 21 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going five furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start he won a claiming race going six furlongs on the main track at Del Mar on Aug. 3 for trainer John Shirreffs.