Forward Gal: Letgomyecho stays perfect

Letgomyecho was the lesser regarded of the two unbeaten fillies entered in the Grade 2, $150,000 , taking a back seat to the odds-on favorite, Maddalena. But in the end it was Letgomyecho who remained undefeated after she posted a hard-fought half-length decision over a game Little Money Down in the seven-furlong stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

Maddalena finished a tiring fifth at odds of 3-5.

Letgomyecho, a daughter of Menifee trained by Rusty Arnold, benefited from a well-judged ride from Javier Castellano. Allowed to settle off an early pace duel between Maddalena and Bird Harbor, Letgomyecho rallied four wide into the stretch and outfinished Little Money Down in the final furlong.

Little Money Down, who had also won her previous two starts, slipped inside the tiring leaders to challenge for command near the eighth pole before succumbing grudgingly near the wire. Hot Storm was a tiring third after prompting the pace.

Letgomyecho ran seven furlongs in 1:23.24 over a track upgraded from good to fast before the previous race. She paid $11.40.

"We thought that's how the race might set up, and Javier did a tremendous job," said Arnold, who trains Letgomyecho for the Dixiana Farm. "She'll go to the Ashland next. The timing is perfect, and I think this filly has been dying to run two turns. What she's done so far is a tribute to her ability."