Eco Charge brings solid work tab into sprint

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – According to trainer Cindy Krasner, Blue Law came out of his win in the $50,000 Swift Thoroughbreds Inaugural Stakes at Hastings last Sunday in excellent shape and will be pointed to the $50,000 George Royal here on May 21. Blue Law was overlooked in the wagering and paid $37.70.

“He had been running huge in Arizona and getting better and better with every start,” said Krasner. “I think he paid a big price because people just couldn’t get past that he was claimed for $15,000 last year.”

Krasner thinks Eco Charge is also an improved horse, and she’s hoping for a big effort from the 4-year-old filly in a second-level allowance race with a $25,000 claiming option Sunday. The six-furlong dash for fillies and mares drew eight horses and is impossible to decipher. Eco Charge is playable at anything close to her 8-1 morning-line odds.

If she can rate, she can win a race with an abundance of speed. Last year, Eco Charge wanted to be in front, and in her only win she opened up a clear lead at the half-mile mark.

“She has really matured, and I think she can stalk,” said Krasner. “She has certainly been training well, and in all of her works she finished strong.”

Eco Charge signaled her readiness when she worked a bullet four furlongs in 47.80 seconds with Jeff Burningham aboard last Sunday. She will break from post 3 with Burningham riding her in a race for the first time.

KEY CONTENDERS

Eco Charge, by Forest Grove
Last 3 Beyers: 52-55-48

◗ She has been very impressive in her works this spring and could pull off an upset if she is able to sit off what should be a fast and contested pace.

Omi, by Rosberg
Last 3 Beyers: 34-57-67

◗ The four-time winner has looked good this spring. Over the past five years, trainer Dino Condilenios has a 20 percent strike rate and a $2.17 ROI with horses coming back from layoffs of 180 days or more.

◗ She drew post 7 with Scott Williams riding.

“She tries hard every time,” said Condilenios. “If she breaks on top, I am sure Scotty will let her roll. If not, hopefully she can sit just off the other speed.”

Expensive Taste, by Giant’s Causeway
Last 3 Beyers: 63-62-35

◗ The well-bred 4-year-old is coming off a troubled fourth-place finish in a first-level turf allowance at Turf Paradise on March 25.

◗ She ran well when she debuted on dirt at Del Mar in 2016. She can stalk, and could be sitting on a big effort in her third start for trainer Mike Anderson.