From Santa Anita Publicity
ARCADIA, CA (May 29, 2023)—Trainer Eric Kruljac reported The Chosen Vron was “in great shape” Monday morning one day after earning his seventh consecutive victory in the Thor’s Echo Stakes for statebreds.
“All is good. He’s a special horse,” Kruljac said when reached by phone.
In the six-furlong Thor’s Echo, The Chosen Vron sat comfortably behind a contested pace under Hector Berrios before rolling to a dominant 5 ½-length win. He paid $3.40 as the popular 3-5 favorite in a four-horse field.
Left in The Chosen Vron’s wake Sunday were runner-up Tigre De Slugo and Brickyard Ride, who himself has been a win-machine for trainer Craig Lewis and owner-breeder Alfred A. Pais.
Brickyard Ride, the 4-5 second choice in the Thor’s Echo, dueled on the lead with longshot Sunrise Journey through fractions of 21.82 and 44.41 seconds before fading in the stretch. Lewis reported Brickyard Ride also appeared no worse for wear Monday morning.
“He’s alright. It just wasn’t his day. What can you do? That’s horse racing,” Lewis said. “Things just didn’t go his way and Eric’s horse is really good. A great horse.”
The Chosen Vron’s winning time was 1:09.58, which earned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure according to Daily Racing Form.
A 5-year-old gelding by Vronsky, bred by Tiz Molly Partners, The Chosen Vron improved to 12-1-2 in 16 starts with $792,678 in earnings. He is campaigned by the partnership of Kruljac, Sondereker Racing, Robert S. Fetkin and Richard Thomburgh.
Of The Chosen Vron’s 12 wins, 11 have come against stakes company. His resume includes a pair of graded stakes wins. In 2021 as a 3-year-old, he won the GIII Lazaro Barrera and GIII Affirmed Stakes.
Kruljac called the Thor’s Echo “one of The Chosen Vron’s better performances.” He noted the gelding was given extra time off following his win in the March 19 Sensational Star here and the move paid dividends on Sunday.
“I think the fact we spaced his races really helped. His energy level was off the charts,” Kruljac added.
The Chosen Vron will next head down to Del Mar for its summer meet. Kruljac indicated all options are on the table for his next start.
“If he continues to thrive, we’d certainly entertain running him against open company,” he said. “The Bing Crosby would be an option.”
The GI Bing Crosby at Del Mar will be run July 29 at six furlongs.