Penn National

Sir Echo, a 10-year-old gelding making his second start within seven days, nearly stole last Friday's 29th running of the Pennsylvania Governor's Cup at Penn National. Buenos Dias, however, came along in time to foil the plan.

Buenos Dias, a 7-year-old gelding who was winless in eight starts dating to May 2000, caught Sir Echo inside the sixteenth pole and drew clear for a 1 1/4-length victory in the track's richest race of the meet.

Sir Echo, second in the Governor's Cup two years ago at 33-1, loped along on an uncontested lead in the 1 1/16-mile turf race and was still in front by two lengths entering the stretch when Buenos Dias ($13.20), ridden by Harry Vega, mounted his successful rally. Sir Echo, a 16-1 longshot, completed a $235 exacta.