Eagle Orb works toward Withers

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Though trainer Rudy Rodriguez would like to run Eagle Orb in Sunday’s $100,000 Winkfield Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs, owner Esteban Vargas wants to give the New York-bred son of Orb a chance to stretch out in distance. Thus, Eagle Orb will make his next start in the Grade 3, $250,000 Withers Stakes going 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 6.

“If you ask me, I don’t think he wants to go that far, but that’s what the owner wants to do,” Rodriguez said Wednesday. “He said, After this race you do want you want.”

Eagle Orb has won twice from six starts. Both wins have come going six furlongs, including the Notebook Stakes on Nov. 14 at Aqueduct. Most recently, Eagle Orb finished second in the one-mile Jerome, 6 1/4 lengths behind Capo Kane, who also is expected for the Withers.

On Wednesday, Eagle Orb worked five furlongs in 1:01.34 over the Belmont Park training track. Eagle Orb was supposed to work in company with recent allowance winner Wudda U Think Now, but that horse broke off about 15 lengths in front of him and the work did not go as planned.

“I wanted to have Eagle Orb get some kick back,” said Rodriguez, who was aboard Eagle Orb for the work. “It didn’t go the way we planned it, but he worked very good.”

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Eagle Orb got his final quarter in 24.85 seconds.

Wudda U Think Now won a New York-bred allowance on Jan. 8 with an 89 Beyer Speed Figure. He could run in an allowance race or the $100,000 Haynesfield Stakes next, Rodriguez said. He was timed Wednesday going five furlongs in 1:02.84.

With Eagle Orb not pointing to the Winkfield, the race is expected to draw a field of five or six, including Hello Hot Rod, Pico d’Oro, Return the Ring, Scotch Rock’s, and Weyburn. Texas Basin is possible.

◗ Miss Brazil, an impressive maiden winner last out, worked a half-mile in 48.07 seconds Wednesday morning over the Belmont Park training track in preparation for a start in the $100,000 Ruthless Stakes on Feb. 7.