Two Eagles River earns a Kentucky Derby prep start
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Two Eagles River will be considered for a pair of upcoming Kentucky Derby preps following his sharp win Sunday at Oaklawn Park, according to his trainer, Chris Hartman.
Two Eagles River was a four-length winner of a first-level allowance and earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 91. The start came one race after he finished third behind Rebel Stakes entrants Verifying and Gun Pilot in a now key allowance at Oaklawn. Two Eagles River set the pace Sunday and covered a mile in 1:37.10.
“I thought he ran a just a beautiful race,” Hartman said Monday. “It just unfolded exactly the way I was hoping it would. I was hoping to be forwardly placed, and that’s exactly what we got. On to bigger and better things for this guy, hopefully.”
Hartman said Two Eagles River would be considered for a start in either the Grade 1, $1.25 million Arkansas Derby on April 1 at Oaklawn or the Grade 3, $600,000 Sunland Derby on March 26. Both races offer Kentucky Derby points, with 100 to the winner in the Arkansas Derby and 50 to the winner in the Sunland Derby.
“It could be hard to get a two-other-than to go,” Hartman said of the next allowance condition for Two Rivers Eagle. “We might have to jump off the deep end.
“He’s a good horse,” Hartman added.
Two Rivers Eagle is a son of Preakness winner Cloud Computing. He was winning around two turns for the first time Sunday.
“It appeared he had plenty in reserve,” Hartman said. “I think we’re perfectly fine around two turns.”
Nik Juarez rode Two Rivers Eagle in the allowance, and also was aboard the horse for his runner-up finish in the Renaissance Stakes over six furlongs in December at Oaklawn.
Two Eagles River races for Mach 1 Racing and Scattered Acres.
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