6/13/2020

 2  SA    Thors Echo Hcp
  $100.000    3yo&Up Foaled in CA    6f  Dirt        Hcp Weights

We have an interesting field set to go six furlongs in the Thors Echo Hcp, a main track, CA-bred stakes and there’s a bit of everything in this one.  Range Of The Sun was second in the SA Hcp (GI) two races back and I’m just not sure why they would want to take him in a sprint… add in the post and I’m going to look elsewhere.  I’m going to jump on Johannes in this one… he just seems the one as far as class, distance… the whole shabang.  I’m going to give Stand In Line a look in this one.  That was a rapid race he ran last out over this track and if he can continue to get better, which he seems to do, this could be his coming-out party.

It looks like a good one, so grab a cold snack and let’s tune this one in. 

Here’s The Field –

Got back to the good side of things finishing third in the McKenny Hcp at PRX last out after an up-the-track finish vs. graded horses.  He’d been on a long line of good races before that tiring effort at AQU, but I think this is another spot where he can make his presence felt and be in the middle of things when they hit the wire.

Another that bounced back from a bad effort when last in the SUN Hcp after being involved in the early pace of that one.  Used his tactical speed again last out to win an Alw race at PRX in good fashion.  He came from off of the pace when taking the Curribot Hcp at SUN three back, so he is kind of versatile.  I’m not sure which style we will see today, but he could be a factor. 

Sold two races back and it’s been a mixed bag since then… a nice near-miss third in the The Fool Hcp (GIII) where he closed fast in the late stages, then folded up a bit late in The Fleet Sprint (GIII) at OP.  Now he was only beaten a length in that race, so it’s not like it was a complete let down, but he will need to figue out his style and execute if he wants to get the win here.  

Changed hands three back and another that has shown mixed results.  Nice second vs. OptAlw down at FG then back to back less than favorable results over this strip.  He was sixth vs. similar then seventh vs. graded horses last out.  He will need to turn around or it will be another long afternoon at the races. 

Lightly raced with only five starts and hasn’t seen stakes company yet, but he’s never run a bad race to date.  Third last out at WO vs. Alw horses and has been facing those for the last few races, so it’s up to stakes company and this could be a spot for him to show what he’s made of. 

Hard to fault this hard knocking vet, off of a DH runner-up effort in the Mineshaft (GIII).  The barn takes their time with this one, only five starts last season but had two wins and was only off the board one time in those starts.  Got another break before this one, but he runs well fresh and should be a tough nut here.

Won his first start of ’20 taking an Alw race at FG the a fifth and a fourth vs. stakes horses in his next two starts.  Only missed by a length vs. graded foes two back and passed a bunch of horses late in that one.  Still, he needs to step it up a bit, and this could be a spot for him to do just that. 

Had his back to back win streak snapped when fourth beaten a long neck in the Lost In The Fog at GG in his most recent.  He did gain a bit late in that one but could not improve position, and that was his third fourth place finish in his last six races… the good news?  He won the other three, so give him a look.

Just about as solid a horse as you could want, and he brings home money like an ATM machine.  Nice return win after the hostile takeover, and that was over this track so there are some things to really like with him.  Four wins and two seconds from six starts… I think you get the picture, he’s a nice horse and moves up to stakes horses for the first time. 

Back to back wins to kick-off ’20 but then a couple of less than favorable finishes facing graded horses, so, it’s back down to state-bred stakes types, which could be a good move.  He looked solid winning those races at GP vs. nice Alw fields but the graded races may be a bit too much right now… this looks like a good spot.

Nice near miss in the Lost In The Fog where he did all of the heavy lifting setting the pace throughout and getting beat a neck.  He won vs. similar when taking the CAC Sprint back in Jan over this track, so he certainly fits well and must be considered a contender today.

Looks real tough here especially off of that SA Hcp (GI) second then a nice run when third in the Tokyo City (GIII) so now they go from classic/marathon to a 6f sprint, which is a very interesting tactic.  So it’s class and route ability vs post and sprint… you decide. 

Would need some luck to draw into the field of this one, but has shown some ability winning two of thirteen and hitting the board in three other starts.  He broke maiden over this track so…

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded