Big Sweep beats boys in Santa Anita's Echo Eddie to stay unbeaten
In just her second career start and the lone filly in the lineup, Big Sweep came rolling from off the pace to take Saturday’s $150,000 Echo Eddie Stakes at Santa Anita Park by a head under Flavien Prat. Owned by Red Baron’s Barn, LLC and Rancho Temescal and trained by Mark Glatt, the 3-year-old daughter of Mr. Big got six furlongs in 1:10.23.
Sponsored by the CTBA, the Echo Eddie is part of the lucrative Golden State Series, for eligible California-bred or sired horses.
Breaking from the No. 7 post position in a field of eight sophomores, Big Sweep had two horses beat a half mile from home, but was on the move while fourth, two off Better Trip Nick and Rookie Mistake a quarter mile out.
From there, Rookie Mistake took the lead at the furlong marker and Big Sweep was all out to collar him on the money.
“She ran really well,” said Prat, who had guided Big Sweep to a 2 ¼-length first-out score versus state-bred fillies going six furlongs here March 14. “She settled nicely behind the speed and she handled the kick-back like a pro. She’s got a lot of heart.”
Off as the even money favorite, Big Sweep paid $4.20, $3.40 and $2.60.
With the victory, Big Sweep, who is out of the City Zip mare Misszippityslewda, picked up $90,000, bringing her earnings to $130,000. Bred in California by George Krikorian, she sold for $40,000 at the Barrett’s October 2018 Sale of Yearlings.
“The race unfolded totally different than what we thought,” Glatt said. “We didn’t expect to be that far back, but she handled the dirt in her face very well. To be able to show a totally different dimension in only her second start, is pretty amazing. We did nominate to both stakes (including the Evening Jewel for fillies) and it looks like we made a good decision. We’ll see where we go from here.”
A Reddam Racing homebred colt by Square Eddie, Rookie Mistake ran too well to lose while finishing 2 ½ lengths clear of Club Aspen. Ridden by Mario Gutierrez, Rookie Mistake was off at 13-1 and paid $7 and $4.80.
Club Aspen, ridden by Jorge Velez, was off at 5-1 and paid $3 to show.
Fractions on the race were :21.56, :45.21 and :57.58.