Ultimate Eagle will try to repeat his front-running heroics from last year's Hollywood Derby (Benoit Photos)

Ultimate Eagle was one of the surprise packages of 2011. Winless in his first three career starts over Hollywood's Cushion Track, he relished a switch to turf at Del Mar and promptly broke his maiden. In his follow-up in an entry-level turf allowance, Ultimate Eagle employed the front-running tactics that would soon become his trademark. Overlooked at 34-1 in his stakes debut in the Grade 2 Oak Tree Derby, he held on gamely by a half-length. The step up in trip to 1 1/4 miles for the Hollywood Derby proved to be no problem, as Ultimate Eagle once again defied the odds by scoring a front-running upset at odds of 14-1.

After suffering his first turf loss when third in the Grade 2 Sir Beaufort at Santa Anita last December, Ultimate Eagle tried dirt for the first time in the Grade 2 Strub Stakes on February 4, and turned in a spectacular performance. With his high cruising speed being a natural fit for dirt, he romped by 7 1/4 lengths. He tried to repeat the feat in the March 3 Big 'Cap, but engaged in a wicked speed duel and gave way.

Defending Citation champ Jeranimo beat Little Mike (far right) in the Shoemaker Mile (Benoit Photos)

In last year's Citation, Jeranimo rebounded from a seventh in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs. This time, he comes off a sixth in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita, and he hopes that the pattern holds true.

Jeranimo figures to enjoy the scene shift to Hollywood, where he sports a three-for-four mark over the local turf. Aside from his impressive 2 3/4-length Citation victory, Jeranimo bolted from last to first in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile here on June 30, beating eventual Breeders' Cup Turf hero Little Mike. Jose Valdivia Jr. picks up the mount on the 122-pound highweight.

Data Link rallied in the Maker's 46 Mile, while Doubles Partner (white bridle on inside) was a hampered third (Keeneland/Coady Photography)

The two first squared off in the Grade 3 Canadian Turf at Gulfstream Park March 3, when Doubles Partner successfully returned from a 10-month layoff and won in a sparkling time of 1:32 2/5 for the mile. The Todd Pletcher pupil left Data Link back in third and Little Mike in fourth. Data Link exacted revenge next time in the the Maker's 46 Mile, where Doubles Partner was a mightily-troubled third.

Their third meeting came in the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs. Neither threatened Little Mike, but Doubles Partner beat Data Link when the pair were fourth and fifth, respectively. The familiar foes filled those exact same spots in the Shadwell Turf Mile. Doubles Partner deserves extra credit for his late-running fourth, considering that he had not raced since their May 5 clash.

Broken Dreams (center) and Kindle, the top two from the Sen. Ken Maddy, square off again in the Cool Air (Benoit Photos)

Earlier on Friday's card, the $65,000 Cool Air Stakes shapes up as a rematch from the Grade 3 Sen. Ken Maddy October 20 at Santa Anita. Broken Dreams ran down Kindle in the final strides of that about 6 1/2-furlong dash down the hill, thus winning the Maddy for the second straight year. Speed merchant Kindle, who had opened up by five lengths before wilting late, will appreciate the fact that the Cool Air is only six grassy furlongs.

Givine, fourth in the Maddy, has run well in her prior attempts at this course and distance. The Julio Canani mare landed the 2011 Great Lady M and dropped a photo-finish decision in last year's running of the Cool Air.