Breeder, owner, and trainer Carl Anderson stated that after Emperorofthecats’ outstanding workout of 1:14.4 over six furlongs during exercise on Monday, December 4, he was convinced that his charge will win the $1.25-million Ahwhofah Sprint Trophy feature on Sunday, December 10, 2023.

So said so done as Emperorofthecats, who was coming off a six-month break, easily brushed aside rivals in a dominating 4½-length win margin in the Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward over six furlongs (1,200m). Ridden by Shavon Townsend, Emperorofthecats won in a decent time of 1:13.0 (22.4 x 46.1).

“The horse is coming off a six-month rest and so we had to train him very gingerly coming into this race. We saw this race as an opportunity at the Overnight Allowance level and we took it and we were victorious,” Anderson said.

“Emperorofthecats always runs good when fresh and plus he worked really well coming into this race. Following his preparations, we were confident that he would win here and he performed as well. He now goes up to the Open Allowance level,” he added.

God of Love, ridden by Robert Halledeen, took the lead at the start, followed by Press Conference (Richard Henry) and Duke (Dane Dawkins). Emperorofthecats, however, swiftly surrounded runners and sprinted to the front of the field as the half-mile (800m) approached, with God of Love, KP Choice (Andrew Wright), and Duke chasing.

Emperorofthecats continued to pull away from rivals as the race neared the home bend, and with no genuine challenger in deep stretch the Emperor Hall offspring glided home to win easily ahead of Burlap (Tevin Foster) and Duke.