Empressum romps by 2 1/2 lengths in Go Man Go Handicap

CYPRESS, Calif. - Empressum won his third consecutive start in Sunday’s $100,000 Go Man Go Handicap to strength his status as the leading older horse at Los Alamitos.

The winning time of 19.31 seconds was the second-fastest running in the history of the 62-year race behind Jess You and I who was clocked in 19.29 seconds in 2009.

Empressum ($2.20) won the Go Man go by 2 1/2 lengths without significant urging from jockey Rodrigo Vallejo. Empressum broke from post 6 in a field of seven and had a commanding one-length lead after the first 100 yards.

Flash Bak, the winner of the $893,650 Los Alamitos Super Derby last November, finished second as the 8-1 second choice, a neck in front of 16-1 Circle City.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match and FREE Formulator PPs! Join DRF Bets.

Empressum, the champion 3-year-old of 2021, has won 16 of 21 starts and earned $1,218,775 for owners Steve Holt of Guthrie, Okla., and Jeff Jones of Pembroke, N.C.

Trained by Heath Taylor, Empressum won his Los Alamitos stakes debut in the $156,300 Vessels Maturity at 400 yards on July 3. In 2021, Empressum won four derbys at Remington Park, Ruidoso Downs, and Lone Star Park.

Earlier this month, Los Alamitos track officials extended an invitation for Empressum to the $750,000 Champion of Champions at 440 yards on Dec. 10. The Go Man Go fits as a prep for that race. Taylor said in the winner’s circle that Empressum will have a final prep race in the Robert Boniface Los Alamitos Championship on Oct. 8.