Race Recaps Anxious Eagle Orb keeps cool in the stretch to post first stakes win in Notebook November 14, 2020 Credit: NYRA / Chelsea Durand Race Recaps Anxious Eagle Orb keeps cool in the stretch to post first stakes win in Notebook November 14, 2020 By: Press Release email Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article SOUTH OZONE PARK, NY – E. V. Racing Stable’s Eagle Orb was anxious to get going, leaving the starting gate early in Saturday’s $100,000 Notebook. But after the field re-loaded, the son of Orb settled down, tracked the early speed, and finished strong for a 2 3/4-length victory in a stakes for New York-bred juveniles going 6 furlongs over Aqueduct Racetrack’s main track. ( Content Continues Below Ad ) Eagle Orb, who entered with a pair of runner-up efforts in 3 stakes appearances for trainer Rudy Rodriguez, was one of four entrants to burst through the gate before the official start. It was a case of no-harm, no-foul, as all seven horses were re-loaded for the start, with Eagle Orb breaking sharp from post 4. Storm Shooter set the early speed for a tightly-bunched pack, going the opening 1/4-mile in 23.28 seconds over a track labeled good. Under current meet-leading rider Kendrick Carmouche, Blue Gator, the 7/5 favorite, took command with the 1/2-mile going in 47.26 as Storm Shooter retreated to the back of the pack. Out of the turn, jockey Manny Franco urged Eagle Orb from the outside, where he overtook Blue Gator and drew away, hitting the wire in 1:11.71 while improving to 2-2-0 in 5 career starts. Bred by Barry Ostrager, Eagle Orb built on runner-up efforts in the Funny Cide going 6 1/2 furlongs on September 4 at Saratoga Race Course and a last-out second in the one-turn mile Sleepy Hollow on October 24 at Belmont Park. Credit: NYRA / Joe Labozzetta “I think he’s a better horse sprinting,” Franco said. “Today, he was in a nice stalking position and when I put him in position, he started going very comfortably and started opening up.” Cutting back in distance, Eagle Orb won for the first time since a triumphant debut on August 21 at the Spa. Off at 6/1, he returned $12.20 on a $2 win bet and improved his career earnings to $153,100. “I didn’t want to get involved in the speed duel early,” Franco said. “I was trying not to take my horse too far off the pace, but I didn’t want to be up there. I wanted to wait behind the speed. My horse settled nice for me and when I put him in the clear, he took me there after that.” Added Franco on the start: “The horse on the outside of us (Horn of Plenty) was kind of moving around and all the horses broke through the door, that’s when it happened.” Rodriguez praised Eagle Orb’s consistent start to his career. “This horse always shows up. I was a little disappointed why we didn’t get the last two wins,” Rodriguez said. “He’s been close at Saratoga and at Belmont. He was knocking at the door.” Three Diamonds Farm’s Blue Gator, a stakes winner last out in the New York Breeders’ Futurity over a sloppy and sealed Finger Lakes track on October 26, finished 6 1/4 lengths ahead of Market Alert for second for trainer Mike Maker. “I didn’t want him to be that close, but those horses weren’t fast enough to beat my horse there, so I was just sitting as long as I could,” Carmouche said. “I asked my horse to run around the turn, and at the 1/4 pole, he quickened up, but the other horse quickened faster than me. I thought he ran his race.” Horn of Plenty, Lookin for Trouble, Storm Shooter, and Half Right completed the order of finish.
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More