Page 75 - February_2023

Empressum crossed the finish line 2 1/2 lengths ahead of his competitors Empressum’s Breeders/Owners Jeff Jones and Steve Holt in the Grade 1 Go Man Go Handicap.
Empressum’s only loss at Los Alamitos in 2022 came in the Oct. 8 Robert L. Boniface Los Alamitos Invitational Championship-G1, when he finished second to two-time Champion of Champions winner Apollitical Pence. Taylor noted that Apollitical Pence
ran a “tremendous, tremendous race,” but he also blamed himself for Empressum becoming what the trainer called “a little fat and maybe not quite as sharp on conditioning.”
Empressum came out of the Boniface in great shape, and Taylor got to work in preparation for the Dec. 10 Champion of Champions.
“We did his teeth, dewormed him, and his coat started improving and his energy level got high,” the trainer said.
Los Alamitos owner Dr. Ed Allred couldn’t have asked for a better Champion
of Champions field to celebrate the 50th running of the prestigious event. Empressum met the likes of Apollitical Pence, 2021 World Champion Danjer, 2021 Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity-G1 winner Bomb Cyclone, millionaire Powerful Favorite, and 2022 All American Derby-G1 winner A Pollitical Candy V.
At the start, Empressum and Apollitical Pence rushed to the front, followed closely by Danjer and Bomb Cyclone. Danjer overtook Apollitical Pence for second, but Empressum never lost his focus and drew out to a 1 1/4-length win over Danjer, in :21.089 for 440 yards.
“I’m so proud of Empressum,” said Jones after the race. “When you looked him in the eye when he was a baby, he was special and he knew he was special. He’s continued to be special here at Los Alamitos.”
That special something from his earliest days earned Empressum his name. Holt let Jones name the youngster, who impressed him so much that Jones came up with that moniker. It certainly fits.
“He’s just a super horse and he loves his job,” said Holt at the awards ceremony.
Holt was quick to give “all the credit” to Taylor, speaking of the bond Empressum has with his trainer.
“This horse knows him; he knows his voice,” said Holt. “Heath just does a super job with that horse.”
Trainer Heath Taylor, Co-Breeders/Co-Owners Steve Holt and Jeff Jones, and jockey Rodrigo Vallejo are joined by family and friends to receive World Champion Empressum’s awards.
SPEEDHORSE February 2023 73
Myriam Maynard, Speedhorse William Zuazo, Los Alamitos
Myriam Maynard, Speedhorse