Heck Yeah gets third stakes win of year in Echo Eddie

ARCADIA, Calif. – There were two simple reasons why Heck Yeah won his third stakes of 2018 in Saturday’s $200,000 Echo Eddie Stakes for California-breds at Santa Anita.

“Equipment change and surface change,” winning jockey Mike Smith said.

The absence of blinkers for the first time and a move from turf to dirt helped Heck Yeah record a commanding win in the Echo Eddie at 6 1/2 furlongs. Smith had an ideal trip on Heck Yeah in a field of eight.

Heck Yeah was near early leader Rewired through the first quarter-mile in 22.13 seconds before taking the lead on the turn. Heck Yeah was in control with a furlong to go, leading by 1 1/2 lengths, and won by 2 1/4 lengths over 6-1 Fire When Ready.

Take the One O One, the 6-5 favorite, was well placed in early stretch behind Heck Yeah but could not sustain the effort and faded to third, beaten a head by Fire When Ready. Psycho Dar finished fourth, followed by Campaigner, Shaymin, Rewired, and Generally Lucky.

Heck Yeah was timed in 1:17.13. The Echo Eddie was his fourth win in five races for breeder Michael Pageler, who owns the colt with Michael Sigband and Bob Baedeker. Heck Yeah is trained by Bob Baffert.

By Acclamation, Heck Yeah won his first three starts, including two stakes for California-breds – the California Cup Turf Sprint on the hillside turf course Jan. 27 and the Cal Cup Derby at 1 1/16 miles on dirt Feb. 19.

Heck Yeah was fifth in the $200,690 Pasadena Stakes at a mile on turf against open company March 17. Ridden by Smith in that race, Heck Yeah was near the front for the first seven furlongs before fading to finish four lengths behind winner River Boyne.

“He was so tight,” Smith said, recalling the loss. “He was better today – on the muscle – but better. I think he’s better on the dirt.”

Heck Yeah has earned $308,000.