Big Sweep Delivers Huge Rally in Echo Eddie Stakes
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Big Sweep and Flavien Prat rally to win the Echo Eddie Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Big Sweep proved an aptly named winner of the $151,500 Echo Eddie Stakes for California-breds May 16 at Santa Anita Park, blowing past rivals on the turn and down the stretch to run down Rookie Mistake by a head.
The lone filly in the field of eight, Big Sweep showed a different style from her only other start, a frontrunning maiden victory at Santa Anita March 14. Jockey Flavien Prat allowed her to relax early in sixth in the six-furlong race as Stir the Pot dashed to the lead with an opening quarter in :21.56 while under pressure from Bettor Trip Nick.
Over the next quarter of a mile, Big Sweep gained two positions, but Rookie Mistake, who had taken command with an advance from third with a half in :45.21, was also traveling nicely for Mario Gutierrez.
The two horses distanced themselves from the pack over the final quarter-mile, with Big Sweep only catching Rookie Mistake in the final 50 yards. She won despite appearing to have been accidentally struck or intimidated by Gutierrez striking his mount right-handed while she raced just outside him late in the race.
“The race unfolded totally different than what we thought,” winning trainer Mark 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."
Big Sweep finished in 1:10.23 and returned $4.20 as the heavy favorite.
"She ran really well,” said Prat, who also guided Big Sweep to her first score. "She settled nicely behind the speed, and she handled the kick-back like a pro. She’s got a lot of heart.”
Club Aspen rallied for third, though never a threat to the top two. He checked in 2 1/2 lengths behind runner-up Rookie Mistake.
Big Sweep, a 3-year-old daughter of Mr. Big , is the first foal to race out of the City Zip mare Misszippityslewda, a winner of four of 21 starts and $186,955. The dam also has a 2-year-old in training by Mr. Big named Big Discount.
George Krikorian bred the winner, now an earner of $123,000. She was purchased by Red Baron's Barn and Rancho Temescal for $40,000 from the Harris Farms consignment at the 2018 Barretts Sales Fall Yearling and Horses of Racing Age Sale.
Mr. Big stands at Rancho Temescal in Piru, Calif., for $6,500.