Empire strikes

HOT SPRINGS — Three months after last seen at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, Angel of Empire returned in triumph Saturday. winning the same race as his sire six years prior. Angel of Empire, second in the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn on Jan. 1, fooled some in the crowd on this April 1, although no one should profess shock when trainer Brad Cox saddles the winner. Like champion Classic Empire in 2017, Angel of Empire is headed to the Kentucky Derby after winning the Grade I $1.25 million Arkansas Derby in its 87th running. He added 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying…