Eagle One scores big upset

UNITED States-bred EAGLE ONE sprang a 16-1 upset for trainer Jason DaCosta in yesterday's Labour Day Trophy, making every yard of the running with Dick Cardenas to stave off oldstager ANOTHER BULLET by three-quarter length in the seven-furlong event.

Joint even-money favourites, EXCESSIVE FORCE and DOUBLE CROWN, both had no luck in running. Imported EXCESSIVE FORCE was again slowly into stride, swinging five-wide into the lane before closing for third, a neck behind ANOTHER BULLET.

DOUBLE CROWN suffered interference shortly after the start, putting Omar Walker on the seat of his britches, which unsettled the gelding on his return from a four-month lay-off.

Coasting on the lead of the overnight allowance event, EAGLE ONE shook loose of EXTRUDER to straighten clear of ANOTHER BULLET, who, at age nine, and allowing the in-form American five pounds, tried in vain to get on level terms.

EAGLE ONE stopped the clock in 1:26.2, his second win his last three starts. The American was outsped by former stablemate, ROJORN DI PILOT, at five furlongs straight last week Monday but had won his previous start, beating non-winners-of-four, at six furlongs on April 30.

Omar Walker and Ian Parsard landed a jockey-trainer two-timer on the nine-race card, first striking with 11-1 upsetter, DEJAE'S BOY, in the third before speedy PEKING CRUZ completed the double, immediately rewarding his connections, racing for the first time off a claim from Richard Azan.

Racing continues on Saturday.