Eagle Express First Winner, Black-Type Winner for Eagle

Freshman stallion Eagle received his first winner and first black-type winner June 13 as his daughter Eagle Express drew off by five lengths in the $75,000 Pan Zareta division of the Texas Stallion Stakes at Lone Star Park. A Texas homebred for W.S. Farish trained by Steve Asmussen, Eagle Express was ridden by Stewart Elliott in the five-furlong contest for 2-year-old fillies. She stalked in second, made a five-wide bid leaving the quarter pole, and took command in the stretch before drawing away from seven rivals as the 2-1 favorite. The final time was :58.82 on a fast track. Eagle Express was second on debut in a May 14 maiden race at Lone Star. She is the sixth winner from as many starters out of the More Than Ready mare My Girl Bess, also dam of black-type winner My Bling (Too Much Bling). Eagle, a 9-year-old son of Candy Ride (ARG)—Sea Gull (Mineshaft), is a homebred for Farish. He is a half brother to multiple grade 2 winner and Lane's End stallion Catalina Cruiser (Union Rags) and a full brother to grade 3 winner Royal Flag. A black-type winner at 3, 4, and 5, and graded placed at 2, Eagle's biggest victory came in the Ben Ali Stakes (G3). He was also second in the Stephen Foster Handicap (G1). He retired with a 7-7-2 record from 24 starts and earned $754,186 with trainer Neil Howard. Eagle stands at Valor Farm near Pilot Point, Texas, for a $2,500 fee.