Eagle remains fresh, sharp for New Orleans Handicap

Eagle already has raced in December, January, and February at this meet but still is fresh and sharp for his start March 26 in the Grade 2, $400,000 New Orleans Handicap, trainer Neil Howard said.

“I don’t think anyone would come into things planning on running in four races like this, but I am so encouraged the way he’s training, the way he looks, we decided go ahead and point for the race,” said Howard.

Eagle finished a close, closing second to Majestic Harbor last month in the Grade 3 Mineshaft Handicap while racing wide on an inside-favoring track surface. He worked five furlongs last Saturday in 1:01.

“He’s plenty fit. He’s a strong work horse,” Howard said.

Howard also confirmed that he plans to start the 3-year-old filly Dream Dance in the Fair Grounds Oaks, her first start since finishing third behind Carina Mia and Stageplay last November in the Golden Rod at Churchill Downs.

“She wasn’t quite ready for the last allowance race here, and we’re looking at this like a stepping-stone kind of race,” said Howard.