From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, Calif. (March 31, 2021)–A runaway first-time maiden winner on Dec. 27, trainer Eric Kruljac’s talented The Chosen Vron heads a field of 11 statebred sophomores going 6 ½ furlongs in Saturday’s $150,000 Echo Eddie Stakes at Santa Anita.
The Echo Eddie is part of the lucrative Golden State Series which is sponsored by the CTBA and is for eligible California-bred or sired horses.
The 2-1 favorite in a field of 10, The Chosen Vron dictated terms throughout in a thoroughly dominant first-out performance under eastern-based John Velazquez and he was subsequently a solid third behind possible Kentucky Derby favorite Concert Tour in the Grade II San Vicente Stakes at seven furlongs on Feb. 6.
By Vronsky out of the Tiz Wonderful mare Tiz Molly, The Chosen Vron rates top billing and will be reunited with Mike Smith.
Peter Miller’s well-accomplished None Above the Law comes off a facile two length win versus open company in a first condition allowance going one mile on March 20 and will be shortening up out three consecutive routes. Although distanced by A-List Derby hopeful Life Is Good two starts back in the Grade II San Felipe, he ran a big second, beaten 1 ½ lengths by top Cal-bred Big Fish three races back in the Cal Cup Derby on Jan. 16.
Owned and bred in California by Kirk and Judy Robison, None Above the Law is by the Bernstein stallion Karakontie and is out of the Northern Afleet mare Legally Blanca. A first-out Cal-bred maiden 50,000 claiming winner going five furlongs at Los Alamitos on July 2, None Above the Law is 7-2-1-1.
Miller is also well represented by another battle-tested Robison homebred, Good With People, who comes off a big second at six furlongs on turf in an open first condition allowance March 13. A winner of the statebred I’m Smokin Stakes in his third start on Sept. 4 at Del Mar, Good With People, in his lone try at seven furlongs, took Del Mar’s Golden State Juvenile four starts back in front-running fashion on Nov. 7.
Third, beaten four lengths by stablemate None Above the Law as the 5-2 favorite two starts back in the Cal Cup Derby, Good With People, a two-time stakes winner, is 8-3-2-1 overall and is easily the leading money earner in the field with $241,380. Good With People is by Curlin to Mischief out of Gator Prowl, who is by Roar of the Tiger.
Doug O’Neill will saddle a promising Reddam Racing homebred, Found My Ball. A chestnut colt by Square Eddie out of the Ten Most Wanted mare Silar Rules, Found My Ball was a six length maiden winner going six furlongs in his second start and was then a well beaten fourth by Concert Tour in the San Vicente Feb. 6. Most recently second, beaten a neck as the 1-2 favorite in a six furlong turf allowance versus statebreds, Found My Ball will be making his fifth start and is a solid fit with Mario Gutierrez.
An impressive first-out maiden winner going six furlongs versus statebreds on Feb. 26, the Brian Koriner-trained Letsgetlucky rates a legitimate look in what will be his second start. Attentive to the early pace, he went on to post a 1 ½ length win while earning a 76 Beyer Speed figure. Owned by Edward Brown, Jr., Alan Klein and Phil Lebherz, Letsgetlucky is by Munnings out of the Cindago mare My Cinsation and was bred in California by Premier Thoroughbreds, LLC.
By the hot sire Mr. Big, George Krikorian’s speedy homebred Big Flame enters the Echo Eddie off of a seven month layoff. Off as the 8-5 favorite in a field of 10 Cal-breds going six furlongs on Sept. 6 at Del Mar, he made short work of his competition as he opened up turning for home and cruised to a 2 ½ length win. Trained by Tim Yakteen, Big Flame, who will be making his third start, is out of the Unusual Heat mare Renegade Heat.
Trained by red-hot Phil D’Amato, Little Red Feather Racing’s Cargo has been favored in a pair of maiden turf starts, winning his second at one mile here on March 19. By Point of Entry out of the Ten Most Wanted mare Jade With Envy, Cargo tries a new game but is in good recent form.
THE $150,000 ECHO EDDIE WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER
Race 12 of 12 Approximate post time 5:30 p.m. PT
- Sabuda–Tyler Baze–120
- Letsgetlucky–Umberto Rispoli–120
- The Chosen Vron–Mike Smith–120
- None Above the Law–Flavien Prat–120
- Found My Ball–Mario Gutierrez–120
- Top Harbor–Tiago Pereira–124
- Good With People–Juan Hernandez–124
- Big Flame–Abel Cedillo–120
- Cargo–John Velazquez–120
- Alpine Thunder–Heriberto Figueroa–120
- Mister Bold–Edwin Maldonado–122
Special early first post time for a 12-race card on Runhappy Santa Anita Derby Day this Saturday, is at 12 noon. For additional information, please visit santaanita.com.