The ‘Cat’ speedily prowls in Chris Armond
Carl Anderson, breeder, owner, and trainer, believes Emperorofthecats is one of the top sprinters for the 2023 racing season, citing his four-year-old bay gelding’s development this year.
Emperorofthecats continued to show significant progress when he defeated seasoned rivals in the fourth staging of the $2-million Christopher “Chris” Armond Sprint Trophy feature on Saturday, December 23, 2023.
Emperorofthecats made one shake to win the Graded Stakes/Open Allowance contest for three-year-olds and up over five and a half furlongs (1,100m) by a dominating three lengths, against a quality field of six runners including this year’s Gold Cup winner, She’s My Destiny. Emperorofthecats, bred, owned, and trained by Carl Anderson, came home in a time of 1:06.0 (22.4 x 45.3).
“Emperorofthecats ran a good race the last time out coming off a seven-month break when winning over six furlongs in a time of 1:13.0 on December 10. I didn’t expect anything to change here and so we did the same preparation coming into this race,” Anderson said.
“A lot of jockeys came for the ride but this jockey [Shavon Townsend] knows him well. He has won two races on Emperorofthecats before and so I said I am not taking him off. I am quite satisfied with the performance.
“Everyone was saying that I would be using my horse as a rabbit to the other horse but I said no, I am my own rabbit and so I told the jockey to put Emperorofthecats in front and don’t wait on anyone. Right now I am trying to go as the best as I can as he is one of the best sprinters in 2023,” Anderson added.
Emperorofthecats surged to the lead from the number one draw and took She’s My Destiny (Omar Walker) and Freedom Street (Jordan Barrett) into the half-mile (800m) turn.
Emperorofthecats increased his lead entering the lane, and with no real rival in sight the Emperor Hall – Laws of the Cat progeny powered home for his second-consecutive victory and fifth overall from eight starts this season.
Freedom Street maintained his speed strongly in the last stretch to finish second, ahead of She’s My Destiny in third. The frame was completed by Madelyn’s Sunshine (Ramon Nepare).
