Irish-bred Tomahawk Wins, Doubtful for Derby

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Tomahawk, Ireland's top-rated 2-year-old of last year, got his 2003 season underway for trainer Aidan O'Brien with a comfortable win in the Oak Lodge Sires Loughbrown Stakes at seven furlongs at The Curraugh on Sunday.

The Ballydoyle-owned 1-2 favorite scored by a length over Abunawwas after reaching the front in the final furlong with Mick Kinane.

Eighth in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), O'Brien said Tomahawk would probably not be considered for the Kentucky Derby (gr. I).

"He had a few gruelling races last season and it was probably a mistake to take him to the Breeders' Cup so soon after the Dewhurst," O'Brien told The Racing Post. "He lost a lot of weight in America. He's had an easy race today which is what he needed."

"He has a lot of speed so he'll have to be ridden to get a mile. He will probably go for the (Sagitta 2,000) Guineas and it's possible he might run again before then."

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