Angel of Empire, the Pine Grove-bred thoroughbred came up just a little shy in Saturday evening’s running of the Belmont Stakes.
He finished in a Dead Heat for 4th with Hit Show.
The bay colt ran near the front of the entire 1½-mile race but at the 1-mile mark the field got a bit crowded, with Angel of Empire stuck in the middle, unable to emerge from a shoulder-to-shoulder pack.
In the end, Arcangelo, at 7-1 odds, emerged victorious. Again, near the 1-mile mark, Arcangelo cut to the inside of the track and was able to overcome National Treasure, which had led from the start of the race.
Forte, the Kentucky Derby favorite that was forced to withdraw prior to that race, finished 2nd after an impressive late dash. Tapit Trice finished 3rd.
Watch a replay of the race here: