Mr. Hinx confirms fondness for sprints in Echo Eddie
ARCADIA, Calif.- In sprints, Mr. Hinx is unbeaten in three starts, the latest win occurring in Saturday’s $200,345 Echo Eddie Stakes for California-bred 3-year-olds at Santa Anita.
In two-turn races, Mr. Hinx has struggled, finishing a well-beaten fourth twice.
The way Mr. Hinx won the Echo Eddie at 6 1/2 furlongs, fighting for the lead throughout, sprints may be the focus of his 2017 campaign.
“He left there running,” jockey Tyler Baze said. “I didn’t want to take anything out of him.
“He’s got so much talent. There is a lot there.”
Mr. Hinx ($19) won the Echo Eddie by a nose over B Squared, the two dueling for the lead throughout with Will Tell through an opening quarter-mile in 22.20 seconds and a half-mile in 45.06.
Mr. Hinx led by a head at the eighth pole and finished in 1:17.09. B Squared, the 7-2 second choice, finished 3 1/4 lengths in front of Tribal Storm, who was followed by Will Tell, Green With Eddie, Elwood J, Ninety Nine Proof, California Diamond, and Dr. Troutman.
California Diamond, a four-time stakes winner in sprints last year, was the 6-5 favorite. California Diamond was fifth with a furlong remaining and failed to make any impression in the stretch in his first start since a second-place finish in the California Cup Derby in January.
Mr. Hinx is owned by breeder Gary Barber and is trained by Steve Miyadi. Mr. Hinx has won 3 of 5 starts and earned $195,368.