Improving Eons hopes to go the distance in Saratoga Derby
Mark Grier's Eons will enter his most challenging race with momentum that has been building since April, carrying a four-race winning streak into Sunday's $1 million Saratoga Derby Invitational at 1 3/16 miles on Saratoga's Mellon turf.
Following the Belmont Derby last month, the Saratoga Derby marks the second leg of the New York Racing Association's newly implemented Turf Triple series for 3-year-olds. Comprising the Turf Trinity for males and the Turf Tiara for fillies, the series will conclude next month at Belmont Park, with the $1 million Jockey Club Derby Invitational, a "Win and You're In" qualifier to the Breeders' Cup Turf, on September 7, while the Turf Tiara wraps with the $750,000 Jockey Club Oaks Invitational on the same day.
Trained by Arnaud Delacour, Eons has not lost since breaking his maiden at third asking on April 11 over Keeneland's firm turf. Over his last four starts, the Giant's Causeway colt has handled a step up in class each time.
After besting Largent by a neck in an allowance race on May 17 over softer ground at Pimlico, Eons graduated to stakes company with a half-length victory in the Stanton on June 12 at Delaware Park. In his graded stakes debut on the same surface, Eons edged Award Winner by a neck to capture the Grade 3 Kent last out on July 6 in his first start at 1 1/8 miles.
"I think he's training very well. I've been happy with him," Delacour said. "He's improved physically and mentally all year. We knew we had to take our time. He's answered positively to everything we've asked him to do and has stepped up when we've asked him. We had to be patient."
Eons, unraced as a juvenile, ran four straight races at 1 1/16 miles, starting with his second career start on February 19 at Tampa Bay Downs, before stretching out in the Kent. He will now run at the Saratoga Derby distance for the first time.
"This is a big step up. I like the distance for him," Delacour said. "We always had in mind this race. I think he can go further than a mile and a quarter. It's just a different level of racing, and that's why we wanted to go in this."
Eons, who registered a personal-best 84 Beyer Speed Figure in the Kent win, will be facing a talented 11-horse field comprised of some of the top sophomore turf colts in the Saratoga Derby that includes 7-2 favorite Rockemperor, Belmont Derby-winner Henley's Joy [4-1] and Digital Age [9-2].
Drawing post 5 with jockey Trevor McCarthy in the irons, Eons is listed as 15-1 on the morning line.
"The post matters to some degree, but with a long race on the turf, it probably matters a little bit less than on the dirt," Delacour said. "But I was pleased with the post position. That gives us some options. Hopefully, we can negotiate a good trip from there."
McCarthy, aboard for both the Stanton and Kent wins, has developed a rapport with Eons, which Delacour said could be beneficial.
"It helps. He knows the horse, and Trevor has been riding very well for us in different places in the Mid-Atlantic," he said. "He definitely deserves a shot for a race at this level."