HOBBS, NM—SEPTEMBER 24, 2017—Last year's AQHA Racing Champion Two-Year-Old Imperial Eagle drifted out a bit under regular rider Esgar Ramirez while clearing the field by 1-¾ lengths Sunday afternoon at Zia Park. The son of leading sire One Famous Eagle posted the top qualifying time from four trials for the Grade 3 Hobbs America Derby.

Saddled by trainer Tony Sedillo, Imperial Eagle completed the 440 yards in :21.844 seconds, a 91-speed index into a 2-mph crosswind, to set the fastest time.

Racing for owners Charles and Christina Robinson, Imperial Eagle posted his ninth career win from 14 starts and brought his earnings total to nearly $1.79 million. Last year's All American Futurity(G1), Southwest Juvenile Championship(G1) and Sunland Park Juvenile Championship winner has won three of five starts this season.

After failing to qualify for the Ruidoso Derby(G1) he won the Mr Jess Perry Stakes, his All American Derby trial and was second the First Down Dash Stakes in his last start.

Fredda Draper bred the gray gelding in California from the Genuine Strawfly mare Jenuine Joy.

Leading sire One Famous Eagle sired three of the top four qualifiers including second fastest Majestic Eagle. Jockey Tanner Thedford rode the gelding to a neck win over Marseille in the second trial in :21.888 seconds, a 90-speed index.

Starting today off a troubled effort in his last start, the Grade 1 All American Derby on September 3, Magestic Eagle races for owner Victor Diaz and trainer Juan Carlos Gonzalez.

Bred in Utah by Ware Farms, from the First Down Dash mare Catalina Fantasy, Magestic Eagle was also a finalist in the Grade 1 Rainbow Derby this year. He has compiled a (12) 2-4-1 record and banked $124,817. FDD Dynasty gelding out of Kr Dragonfly by Separatist. Still a maiden from six starts, Marseille was bred in Colorado by C. & L. Joiner and S. & D. Kidd.

For a complete list of Hobbs America Derby qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.