Courtesy of the TDN Lifetime Record: 7-4-0-2, $329,800.

Ultimate Eagle (Mizzen Mast) capped off a banner weekend for owner B.J. Wright and trainer Michael Pender Sunday, adding the GI Hollywood Derby trophy to the one Jeranimo (Congaree) secured for the same connections a day earlier in the GII Citation Dismissed at 14-1 despite entering this event off a threerace win streak that was capped by a 34-1 upending of the Oct. 15 GII Oak Tree Derby at Santa Anita, Ultimate Eagle was hard ridden by Martin Pedroza to get over from his outside post and secure the early advantage. He was tracked by New York shipper Imagining (Giant’s Causeway) through splits of :24.67, :49.07 and 1:14.12, and that duo opened up daylight on the rest of the field as they turned for home. Imagining continued his pursuit of the pacesetter in the run to the wire, but Ultimate Eagle had plenty left in the tank, and held a 3/4-length edge at the line. GI Jamaica H. winner Western Aristocrat (Mr. Greeley) led the cavalry charge behind the top two, a half-length back of Imagining and a neck in front of Juddmonte’s Slumber (GB) (Cacique {Ire}).

“This is undoubtedly the best horse I’ve ever ridden,” said veteran Pedroza. “I was pretty confident and he came through like I thought he would.”

Ultimate Eagle was third in a pair of main track sprints here in April and June respectively to begin his career before finishing fifth when stretched out to 8 1/2 furlongs June 18. He got his first taste of the turf at Del Mar July 31, donning cap and gown before clearing another condition back at that oceanside oval Sept. 3. The dark bay defeated four Hollywood Derby foes in the Oak Tree Derby, including French import and runner-up Venomous (GB) (Red Ransom), but was cast aside by the bettors as an expected pace casualty, while Venomous garnered co-favoritism at 3-1.

“It’s miraculous considering where this horse came from–he had colic [in June 2010] and was basically pronounced dead on the table,” said Pender. “He prefers the lead, but he doesn’t have to have it. I was hoping he would assert himself and get the lead by himself, but [Imagining] was pressing him every step of the way from the half-mile pole home. He just refused to let up.” Pender added, “Ultimately I’d like to get him back on dirt. He trains so much better on dirt and hasn’t really handled synthetic surfaces all that well.”