Race 1 1/19/02 at the Big
A
Its a very cold, very snowy day in NY. It is almost impossible to see the horses until they make
the turn and head into the stretch. When they appear, it's EA with the lead. Make it 3 straight for EA, as he wins his
3rd straight Grade 3, the Aqueduct Handicap.
Race 2 4/6/02 at the Big A
EA goes off as the favorite for the 1st time in his life, but he does not win the Grade 3 Excelsior
Handicap. For the 1st time, he takes the lead right of the gate and draws clear by 5, working the 1/2 in a very fast :47.1.
But he wears down in the stretch and finishes 4th.
Race 3 5/2/02 at the Big A
To give him a breather, Pat Kelly enters EA in an allowance. It turns out to be a great move,
as he draws off to win by 10 lengths, the largest margin of victory in his career.
Race 4 6/1/02 at Suffolk Downs
In his first race outside of NY, EA runs in the Grade 2 Mass Cap. Last in the field of 9 throughout
the beginning stages of the race, EA starts his trademark close, and does a great job to get 2nd, losing by only 1 3/4 to
Macho Uno.
Race 5 7/6/02 at Belmont
Back to NY for the for the Grade 2 Suburban. EA goes 1 1/4m for the first time in his career,
which would seem like the perfect distance for him given his late closing style. But EA does not have it this day, and
comes in 4th.
Race 6 8/17/02 at the Spa
After trailing by 11 early on, EA roars down the stretch to win the Grade 2 Saratoga BC Cap by
1 1/2 lengths. Its his biggest win to date, but that would soon change.
Race 7 9/28/02 at Belmont
EA goes off at 9-1 in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, one of the premier stakes races
in the US. EA is at his best this day and scores an easy 2 3/4 length victory. He covers the 1 1/4m in under 2 minutes. Not
only would it be the only Grade 1 victory in his career, it is his only win ever at Belmont Park.
Race 8 10/26/02 at Arlington
EA is entered in the worlds premier race, the Breeders Cup Classic. He goes off as 3rd choice
at 5-1. But his slow start cost him against the worlds best. He breaks 11th out of 12, and would stay there for the 1st mile
of the race. But with a 1/4 mile to go, the jet engines get turned on, and he makes a furious rally to get up to 4th. The
race will be remembered for the longest shot on the board, the 43-1 Volponi, winning by 6 1/2. As a result, EA is part of
a nice $1 superfectra that pays $28,603.90 It should be noted that EA beat both War Emblem and Perfect Drift in this race.
Quite an accomplishment!
Race 9 11/23/02 at the Big A
Unlike most horses that call it a year after the Breeders Cup. EA goes out and shows them why
he is one of the toughest ever. He wins the Grade 3 Red Smith by 8 lengths. He completes his best year ever 5-1-0-3 in
9 starts with 4 graded stakes victories. EA clearly shows he is one of the best race horses today.
