Imperial Eagle captures Southwest Juvenile Championship
Imperial Eagle proved much the best Sunday at Zia Park, where the All American Futurity winner picked up his second Grade 1 victory in the $200,000 Southwest Juvenile Championship. He darted to a length win over Magnifico Dragon, while it was another three-quarters of a length back in third to Apollitical Scout.
The Southwest Juvenile, a 440-yard race for Quarter Horses, was the final stakes of the meet in Hobbs, N.M.
Imperial Eagle ($7.20) broke with the field, was in tight between rivals in midstretch, surged to the lead soon afterward, and then proceeded to separate himself from his foes with each stride. Imperial Eagle covered the distance on a track rated fast in 21.67 seconds.
Esgar Ramirez was aboard for Charles E. Robinson and trainer Tony Sedillo. The same team captured the Grade 1, $3 million All American Futurity in September, when Imperial Eagle prevailed by a neck as the favorite. The horse finished a troubled eighth in a Zia trial one start after his classic win at Ruidoso, and then rebounded Sunday.
Imperial Eagle has now won 5 of 8 starts. He earned $93,120 for the Southwest Juvenile Championship to push his overall earnings to $1,641,507.
Imperial Eagle is a son of One Famous Eagle and he was bred in California by Fredda Draper. He is a leading contender for champion 2-year-old of 2016.