Empressum tops strong cast in Sunland Park Championship
Empressum will seek to kick off the new year with a Grade 1 win when he starts as the probable favorite in the $350,000 Championship on Sunday at Sunland Park.
The 440-yard race drew seven top Quarter Horses, including last-out Grade 1 winners Instygator and Apollitical Papa.
Empressum also won a Grade 1 race in his most recent start, accounting for the Texas Classic Derby on Nov. 27 at Lone Star Park. It was his ninth win of the year from 10 starts in 2021. The victory pushed his earnings over $1 million.
Empressum’s highlight reel includes a pair of Grade 1 victories in derbies at Ruidoso Downs, the Rainbow and Ruidoso. Heath Taylor trains the horse for breeders Jeff Jones and Steve Holt.
Instygator won the All American Derby in his last start Sept. 5 at Ruidoso. Apollitcal Papa comes off a win in the Zia Park Distance Championship on Dec. 5.