Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Eagle in Love, Nitrous Channel deliver winning debuts

The first week in February saw several promising three-year-olds post impressive maiden victories. A couple of debut winners at Aqueduct and Gulfstream Park were particularly eye-catching.

Let’s take a moment to review the flashy performances from these potential 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders:

Eagle in Love

Eagle in Love wasn’t really expected to win his debut racing one mile on Thursday at Aqueduct. The bay gelding was dismissed at 15-1 in a field of seven, with rival Long Term favored at 2-5 to claim top honors.

But in the end, Eagle in Love was much the best. Tackling a good track under jockey Manny Franco, Eagle in Love showed solid early speed while tracking Long Term from third place through splits of :23.98 and :48.33. Eagle in Love then cranked up the pressure through six furlongs in 1:13.40, took over a narrow advantage in the homestretch, and pulled away through the final furlong to post a decisive 4 3/4-length triumph.

Eagle in Love completed the race in 1:39.72. As a son of Florida Derby (G1) winner Dialed In out of the Jed Forest mare Mariisima (a top level winner in Panama), Eagle in Love has the pedigree to run long and improve with maturity. It’s not hard to imagine Eagle in Love developing into a promising prospect for trainer Rob Atras and owner Stud El Aguila.

Nitrous Channel

Expectations were surely high when Nitrous Channel debuted in a six-furlong maiden special weight on Saturday at Gulfstream Park. After all, the George Weaver trainee was purchased for $625,000 as a two-year-old in training, thanks in part to breezing a furlong in :10 flat before the sale.

Fortunately, Nitrous Channel delivered a powerful performance in his first race. Flashing speed under jockey Tyler Gaffalione, Nitrous Channel tracked an opening quarter mile in :22.33, took command through a half mile in :45.36, and drew clear through quick final furlongs :11.89 and :12.78 to beat a promising field by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:10.03.

As a son of 2016 Kentucky Derby hero Nyquist out of a mare by 2005 Preakness S. (G1) and Belmont S. (G1) winner Afleet Alex, Nitrous Channel is eligible to improve over classic distances. He’s getting a late start, but 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify didn’t debut until Feb. 18, so there’s still a chance for Nitrous Channel to emerge as a viable classics contender.

Nitrous Channel races for the partnership of R. A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, and Spedale Family Racing.