Espinoza nurses Tiger Dad to victory in the Thor's Echo

Tiger Dad, the 4-year-old gelding, and Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza have become well acquainted in the last year.

Espinoza has ridden exclusively Tiger Dad since last August. The partnership recorded its first stakes win together in Saturday’s $100,000 Thor’s Echo Stakes for California-bred sprinters at Santa Anita.

Espinoza’s knowledge of Tiger Dad’s habits played a vital role in the win. Tiger Dad fought with Principe Carlo throughout the six-furlong race and prevailed by three-quarters of a length. Espinoza said he wanted to keep the margin close to sustain Tiger Dad’s attention.

“I’ve ridden him quite a few times,” Espinoza said. “I had quite a bit of confidence in him. I didn’t want to take the lead too soon. He has a bad habit to wait on horses.

“I wanted horses to keep him company to the wire and it worked out perfectly.”

:: Start earning weekly cashback on your wagering today. Click to learn more.

Tiger Dad ($7.60) ran six furlongs in 1:09.56 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 90.

Tiger Dad and 5-2 Principe Carlo dueled through early fractions of 22.33 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.06 for a half-mile. Tiger Dad led by a head with a furlong remaining, and slowly moved away from Principe Carlo, who finished 1 1/4 lengths in front of even-money favorite Desert Law.

Desert Law was last in the field of five to the final furlong and closed with some interest.

The Thor’s Echo Stakes was the first start for Desert Law since July when he finished second in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar. Desert Law was an easy winner of the 2019 Thor’s Echo, his first stakes win.

Desert Law was followed in Saturday’s Thor’s Echo by Loud Mouth and Oliver in the small field.

Tiger Dad, owned by breeders Mark Devereux and Scott Gross, has won 4 of 15 starts and earned $276,661. Tiger Dad was third in the Tiznow Stakes for California-bred milers on March 1 and was second as the 9-5 favorite in an allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option at six furlongs on May 17 in his only subsequent start.

Espinoza said the recent optional claimer left Tiger Dad prepared for the Thor’s Echo Stakes.

“He had one race already and had a little time off,” Espinoza said. “With that, it set up perfectly for this race.”