Top Midlantic-bred Poll: Angel of Empire leads
Press Release- April 14, 2023
The 10th annual Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred/The Racing Biz Top Midlantic-bred Poll kicked off with voting this week in a year that’s already brought us the return to action of last year’s top region-bred horse, Caravel, as well as a region-bred sophomore on the Triple Crown trail.
As for the latter: Angel of Empire was every bit as dominant in the first polling as he was when romping to victory in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby.
Among older horses, the picture was less clear. Though Caravel impressed in her return to action, outfooting the boys to win the G2 Shakertown, she had company at the top. That came in the form of Repo Rocks, winner of the Grade 3 Toboggan and runner-up in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap. Those two tied for top honors and were well clear of the rest.
Back among the sophomore set, voters were less certain after Angel of Empire, with several horses with pretty credible local credentials behind him.
TOP MIDLANTIC-BRED OLDER HORSES
- Caravel (PA), 6M by Mizzen Mast-Zeezee Zoomzoom, by Congrats; bred by Elizabeth Merryman and trained by Brad Cox for Qatar Racing, Marc Detampel and Madaket Stables LLC. 2022 highlights: Won G2 Shakertown
- (TIE FOR FIRST) Repo Rocks (VA), 5G by Tapiture-Hawaiian Love, by Not for Love; bred by Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin III and trained by Jamie Ness for Double B Racing Stables. 2022 highlights: Won G3 Toboggan, Stymie S., 2nd G1 Carter H.
- Swayin to and Fro (SC), 4F by Straight Talking-Jungle Lady, by Warrior’s Reward; bred by Franklin G. Smith Sr. and trained by Mario Serey, Jr. for Baxter Racing Stable. 2022 highlights: Won G3 Barbara Fritchie S.
- Eastern Bay (MD), 9G by E Dubai-Chrusciki, by Polish Numbers; bred by Nancy Lee Farms and trained by Norman Lynn Cash for Built Wright Stables LLC. 2022 highlights: Won G3 General George S.
- Nimitz Class (PA), 4C by Munnings-Five Diamonds, by Flatter; bred by Arrowwod Farm and trained by Bruce Kravets for Tom Coulter. 2022 highlights: Won John B. Campbell S., Harrison Johnson Memorial S.
- Also receiving votes: Beren, Disco Ebo, Breezy Gust
TOP MIDLANTIC-BRED THREE-YEAR-OLDS
- Angel of Empire (PA), 3C by Classic Empire-Armony’s Angel, by To Honor and Serve; bred by Forgotten Land Investment Inc & Black Diamond Equine Corp and trained by Brad Cox for Albaugh Family Stables LLC. 2022 highlights: Won G1 Arkansas Derby, G2 Risen Star S.
- Coffeewithchris (MD), 3G by Ride On Curlin-Andiemac, by Outflanker; bred by Thomas J. Rooney and trained by John Salzman, Jr. for John Salzman, Jr., Fred Wasserloos, and Anthony Geruso. 2022 highlights: Won Miracle Wood S.
- Tappin Josie (PA), 3F by Anchor Down-Homemaker, by Afternoon Deelites; bred by Charles Blanford and trained by Horacio De Paz for Darryl Abramowitz. 2022 highlights: Won Society Hill S.
- Ninetyprcentmaddie (PA), 3C by Weigelia-Amblin Easy, by Private Interview; bred by LC Racing LLC and trained by Robert Reid, Jr. for LC Racing LLC. 2022 highlights: Won City of Brotherly Love S.
- Chase the Chaos (PA), 3G by Astern-Live the Moment, by Uncle Mo; bred by Mr. & Mrs. Dale N. Krapf and trained by Ed Moger, Jr. for Adam Ference and Bill Dory. 2022 highlights: Won El Camino Real Derby
- Also receiving votes: Girl Trouble, Social Success, Pate, Asawer, Chickieness
Notes Next up for Angel of Empire is expected to be the Kentucky Derby… Chase the Chaos’s win in the El Camino Real Derby carries with it automatic entry into the Preakness… Coffeewithchris and Ninetyprcentmaddie will square off in Saturday’s Federico Tesio at Laurel… Eastern Bay is entered in Saturday’s Frank Whiteley Stakes at Laurel Park… The two lists include six PA-breds, two Mryland-breds, a Virginia-bred, and a South Carolina-bred… They also include seven males and three females…
The monthly Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred is the only publication devoted to Thoroughbred breeding and racing in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Racing Biz, an online publication, is the independent voice for mid-Atlantic racing and breeding.
The poll is conducted of media members and others involved in the Thoroughbred industry and restricted to horses that have run in 2023 and were bred in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Carolinas.
Participating Voters: Ted Black (freelance writer), Michael Campbell (Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of New Jersey), Joe Clancy (Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred), Cindy Deubler (Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred), Linda Dougherty (freelance), Debbie Easter (Virginia Thoroughbred Association), Paul Espinosa (Charles Town Races), Rich Glazier (Delaware Park), Cricket Goodall (Maryland Horse Breeders Association), Jim Hague (freelance), Nick Hahn (freelance), Carol Holden (West Virginia Breeders Classics), Tom LaMarra (Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association), Jeff Nations (freelance), Vinnie Perrone (freelance), Frank Petramalo (Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association), John Piassek (freelance), Gary Quill (The Racing Biz), David Richardson (Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association), Brian Sanfratello (Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association), Chris Sobocinski (Delaware Park), Dan Tordjman (freelance), Frank Vespe (The Racing Biz), Bill Watson (freelance), Lydia Williams (freelance), Bobby Zen (freelance).
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