Eagle Orb Battles Down The Stretch with Thin White Duke In the Funny Cide
E.V. Racing Stable’s Eagle Orb will cut back in distance after running second in the one-mile Sleepy Hollow, as trainer Rudy Rodriguez said he is expecting to saddle the colt in the six-furlong $100,000 Notebook for New York-bred juveniles on Saturday at Aqueduct.
A debut winner on August 21 at Saratoga Race Course, the Orb colt moved up to stakes company at the famous track on September 4 in the Funny Cide, running a competitive second to Thin White Duke, finishing a half-length back in a 6 ½ furlong contest.
After misfiring when fifth in the seven-furlong Bertram F. Bongard on October 2 in his Belmont Park debut, he returned to run second to Brooklyn Strong going a one-turn mile in the Sleepy Hollow on Empire Showcase Day on October 24 over Big Sandy.
After earning a personal-best 84 Beyer Speed Figure last out, Rodriguez said his charge is doing well, though he said he could have run even better in the Sleepy Hollow after setting the pace through the first three-quarters of a mile before being overtaken.
“He looks good so far, we’re just trying to point him to the right spot,” Rodriguez said. “I thought we had it the last time, but the other horse was just a little better than us. He’s still a baby so he’s learning. But that’s racing. Sometimes, they make you look good and sometimes not.”
Rodriguez said Eagle Orb might have three-furlong blowout on Thursday as he prepares for his first start at the Big A.
“I may do a little three-eighths on Thursday, I’m not too sure yet, we’ll just keep an eye on the weather,” Rodriguez said. “We just want to sharpen him up.”
Bred by Barry Ostrager, Eagle Orb was purchased for $95,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale and is out of Lady On Holiday.
Rodriguez has historically enjoyed success at Aqueduct, capturing at least a share of five training titles, starting with the 2016 fall meet. Through the opening two days of the 2020 fall meet, Rodriguez conditioned three winners, tying Todd Pletcher for the top spot.
“It’s good, it’ll keep the owners happy for a couple of days,” Rodriguez said with a laugh.
Photo Credit: NYRA
