Encoder gets ideal trip en route to Eddie Logan victory

ARCADIA, Calif. – Encoder was shipped out of Del Mar in early September with his reputation on the upswing after wins in his first two starts, one of which was the Del Mar Juvenile Turf.

Nearly four months later, after three consecutive losses in stakes, Encoder rebounded to win Sunday’s $83,604 Eddie Logan Stakes for 2-year-olds at a mile on turf at Santa Anita.

The key to victory was an ideal trip.

Ridden by Joel Rosario, Encoder ($19.40) stalked a quick pace set by 7-2 Goliad and 6-5 favorite Smooth Like Strait before taking a commanding lead in the stretch. Encoder held off 34-1 Hariboux to win the Logan Stakes by a half-length in 1:34.14. He earned a career-best speed figure of 82.

“It was a perfect trip,” Rosario said. “It looked like we would be 1-2 and a couple of them went for the lead. I followed them.”

Goliad, second to Smooth Like Strait in the Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar on Dec. 1, set fractions of 22.80 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.63 for a half-mile. Encoder was always within 2 1/2 lengths of the lead and took over with a three-wide move in the stretch.

Hariboux finished 1 1/2 lengths in front of 13-1 Liar Liar.

Smooth Like Strait held fourth, beaten 3 1/4 lengths. Royal Act was fifth, followed by Kanderel, The Stiff, Goliad, and Air Force Jet.

Encoder, a colt by English Channel, was fourth in the Zuma Beach Stakes here on Oct. 6, sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint on Nov. 1, and seventh in the DeMille Stakes.

“He had a couple of tough trips,” trainer John Sadler said. “He didn’t have any room last time at Del Mar. He got a really nice setup.”

Owned by Pete and Kosta Hronis, Encoder has won 3 of 6 starts and earned $162,271.