Huge Metropolis Lights made it two in a row within the $100,500 Thor’s Echo Stakes Might 23 at Santa Anita Park. The race was the primary of 5 stakes for California-bred or -sired runners.
Skilled by Richard Mandella, the 7-year-old son of Mr. Huge rated in third within the opening levels of the race off the chief E-book Good , who set fractions of :22.54, :44.62, and :57.04. Huge Metropolis Lights tracked E-book Good comfortably down the backstretch below jockey Kazushi Kimura earlier than swinging exterior rivals on the far flip.Huge Metropolis Lights, dk b/br, 7/h
Mr. Huge — Champagne Alternate, by Alternate Price
Proprietor: William R. Peeples
Breeder: Bar C Racing Stables Inc (CA)
Coach: Richard E. Mandella
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura
Data supplied by Equibase at time of entry.
Pedigree Notes
Mr. Huge stood at Legacy Ranch for $5,500 (2024).
Sale Historical past
FTCSEP2020 • $22,000 • Consignor: Bar C Racing Stables • Purchaser: William Peeples.
Grand Slam Smile, ch, 5/m
Smiling Tiger — Royal Grand Slam, by Grand Slam
Proprietor: Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Williams
Breeder: Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Williams (CA)
Coach: Sean McCarthy
Jockey: William Antongeorgi III
Data supplied by Equibase at time of entry.
Pedigree Notes
Smiling Tiger stood at Harris Farms for $7,500 (2024).
As the sector hit the highest of the stretch, Huge Metropolis Lights was 2 lengths behind E-book Good however below a drive. Within the final sixteenth, he got here head-to-head with the pacesetter earlier than kicking clear to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Owned by William Peeples, Huge Metropolis Lights completed the 6 furlongs on a quick predominant observe in a ultimate time of 1:09.32, and paid $3.80 to win because the post-time favourite.
“Final race was 7 furlongs and it was straightforward to make a plan,” Kimura stated. “Right now, extra horses had pace. After I obtained to the highest of the stretch, I had full confidence in him. He’s 7 years previous and he retains persevering with to be robust. He’s one which all the time makes me smile. I am so blissful and appreciative of Mr. Mandella for persevering with to assist me. This can be a particular horse to experience.”
Video: Thor’s Echo S. (BT)
Grand Slam Smile WINS Fran’s Valentine
Within the $101,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes, Grand Slam Smile held off a wall of opponents within the stretch.
The 5-year-old daughter of Smiling Tiger broke slowly below jockey William Antongeorgi III, however gained the lead quickly after, setting fractions of :24.03, :48.25, 1:12.66, and 1:24.18. Grand Slam Smile had a transparent lead down the backstretch, and hit the stretch a size in entrance, with many rivals rallying round her. She continued to dig in and hit the wire a half-length in entrance of Take One other Card .
Skilled by Sean McCarthy and a homebred for Marianne and Larry Williams, she accomplished the mile on the agency turf in 1:35.94. Despatched off at 1-2, she paid $3 for the win. Grand Slam Smile is now 12-6-3 in 21 lifetime begins with profession earnings of $984,120.
Video: Fran’s Valentine S. (BT)
