Page 51 - Speedhorse, February 2019

of Bodacious Dream for $8,000. Little did he know he had just bought a World Champion.
Bodacious Eagle qualified for all of the
major futurities at Ruidoso Downs and the Los Alamitos $2 Million Futurity-G1 at two in 2014. His best finish in the finals was a third in the Ruidoso Futurity-G1. He won the Texas Classic Derby-G1 and Dash For Cash Derby-G3 at three in 2015 and three stakes in 2017.
But 2018 was Bodacious Eagle’s year.
“Every time he’s been put in the starting gate, he’s been in against the toughest horses there are,” said Trotter. “It finally got to be his turn this time.”
Twice third at Remington Park early in the season, Bodacious Eagle returned to Ruidoso. He finished second in the Mr Jet Moore Handicap-G2 and then was one of the stars during All American weekend with a super victory in the All American Gold Cup-G1.
Jockey Cody Jensen got him away quickly in the 440-yard Gold Cup. Bodacious Eagle relished the sealed track and dominated, winning by 3/4-length in :21.418.
Michael Joiner trained Bodacious Eagle
to that point, and son Justin took over when the gelding traveled to Los Alamitos. There, Bodacious Eagle cemented his Championships.
Second in the Robert L. Boniface Los Alamitos Invitational Championship-G1 to 2014 Los Alamitos $2 Million Futurity winner He Looks Hot, Bodacious Eagle won a division of the Z Wayne Griffin Invitational prior to the Champion of Champions-G1.
The Champion of Champions attracted
an even better field than it usually does. Los Alamitos Super Derby-G1 and Golden State Derby-G1 winner Jesstacartel went off as the favorite, with World Champion Heza Dasha Fire the second choice. The field also included 2016 Champion of Champions-G1 winner Zoomin
For Spuds, 2018 Bank of America Challenge Championship-G1 winner BH Lisas Boy, and multiple Grade 1 winner He Looks Hot.
“There were a lot of good horses in that race,” said Justin Joiner. “We needed to run a perfect race and we did.”
It was a testament to the quality of the
field that three heads and one nose were all
that separated the first five across the wire. Bodacious Eagle put his head on the line first in a gutsy finish.
The Champion of Champions also made Bodacious Eagle a millionaire, a goal Trotter wanted for the gelding.
“That horse is a stone cold racehorse,” said Trotter. “He deserves to be a millionaire.”
Bodacious Eagle has a good mind, says Trotter, who may make him a roping horse once his racing days are finished.
“He’s always been one of my favorites—I like him a lot,” said the man of few words.
Johnny & Jana Trotter, Justin Joiner, Jackie Winters, Linda Joiner, Lene’ Joiner and Camille Beville.
All American Gold Cup-G1.
Z Wayne Griffin Director’s Invitational.
SPEEDHORSE, February 2019 47
(c)Linda Earley Photography
Los Alamitos