Race 1 2/9/07 at the Big A
After 9 months away, EA returns. He coat is now almost all white, hints of gray all that remain. EA
is entered in an allowance. He breaks slow at the start, and is last most of the race. It doesn't look good. But as they hit
the stretch, he turns it on. After trailing by 16 lengths earlier, EA get up for 3rd, beaten only by 3 1/2. Not a bad return.
Maybe the time off did some good.
Race 2 3/3/07 at the Big A
The Stymie Handicap, a race where he finished 3rd last year. A tough field of 9 veteran horses,
all age 4 and up, with EA being the oldest. Silver Prospector gained the early lead and looked like he would not
give it up. But as he got tired the field closed in, including EA, who was 7th at the 3/4 pole. With 3 furlongs to go, he
roared down the stretch, splitting the field in 1/2 at the 1/8 pole, and drew away to win by 2 1/4 lengths. His loyal fans
were rewarded with a 9-1 payoff. EA is now back to stay.
Race 3 4/7/07 at the Big A
The Excelsior BC Cap is next. Although he only finishes 4th, it should be noted that the 9 yo
beats Corinthian by 4 lengths, who only 6 months later would win the Breeders Cup Dirt Mile. Quite an accomplishment!
Race 4 5/2/07 at Belmont
EA stays in Grade 3 company in the Westchester Handicap. He goes off as the longest shot in the
field and finishes 4th.
Race 5 5/18/07 at Belmont
EA comes back after 16 days in the Wagon Limit stakes. He would face his rival Funny Cide for
the last time. Funny Cide beats him by a nose for 3rd, both beaten by Rising Moon. It would be the last in a series of great
races between the two, as Funny Cide retires later in the year.
Race 6 6/9/07 at Belmont
On Belmont stakes day, EA races in the 1st running of a stakes race named for a recent Belmont
stakes winner, Birdstone. It comes up with a tough field of 5. EA a distant 4th.
Race 7 6/30/07 at Belmont
An ambitious Pat Kelly enters EA in the Grade 1 Suburban. It has been 2 years since he last ran
in a Grade 1, finishing 5th in the same race. After his usual slow start, EA put in quite a good showing for a 9 year old
in a Grade 1, finishing 4th, but beaten by only 3 3/4 lengths.
Race 8 8/10/07 at the Spa
EA gets some well deserved class relief with a start in a allowance race, but the field turns
up 2 tough horses in Minister's Bid and Heasanoldsalt, who both finish ahead of EA.
Race 9 8/30/07 at the Spa
Another allowance race. But this one has some odd results. Hesanoldsalt goes off as the 3-5 favorite,
but the longest shot on the board, Sleek John at 25-1 wins the race. After breaking poorly, EA was a hard charging 3rd, just
missing by a 1/2 length.
Race 10 9/22/07 at Suffolk Downs
Another start in the Mass Cap. EA looks like he wants to be back in NY and finishes 4th.
Race 11 11/17/07 at the Big
A
Its back to Grade 3 company in the Stuyvesant. After hesitating badly at the start, EA is last
until the stretch, closes well, but misses by 2 1/2 lengths.
Race 12 12/08/07 at the Big
A
What would the Queens County Handicap be without EA. This is his 5th start in the race. His 1st
was way back in 2001, a race he won. A small field of 5 runs from the gate, except EA who walks from the gate. Barcola quickly
opened the lead, set the pace at the rail, and looked like he would easily go wire to wire. EA is 4th the whole race
until the turn when he hits 3rd. As they turn into the stretch, Barcola still has a nice 2 length lead over EA, but as they
hit the 1/16 pole, EA catches him. In a head bob finish, EA wins it by a head at the age of 9. EA has come full circle, winning
the same race he did 6 years ago as the 3 year old. Edgar Prado jumps off EA and gives him a big hug. The fans applaud the
9 year old gelding for working so hard. EA finishes the year with 12 starts, the most in his career, including 5 graded stakes.
He finishes no worse than 4th in any of the 12 races.
