Smuggler's Run should have speed to stalk in Echo Eddie Stakes
In his first four races, all since Jan. 1, Smuggler’s Run has won on dirt and turf against California-breds, from the front and off the pace.
The races have provided a foundation for Saturday’s $150,000 Echo Eddie Stakes for 3-year-old statebreds at 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita. The Echo Eddie drew only five runners, and Smuggler’s Run could get a favorable trip.
“It looks like a good spot for him,” trainer Richard Baltas said. “It’s not tough. There are a couple of speeds in there, and he drew well.”
Owned and bred by Kevin Nish, Smuggler’s Run starts from post 4 and will be ridden for the first time by Joe Bravo. Smuggler’s Run set the pace when he won his debut in a maiden special weight race at six furlongs on Jan. 1 when trained by Ruben Alvarado. Smuggler’s Run was transferred to Baltas in the weeks after that race.
Smuggler’s Run was a troubled sixth as the 7-2 second choice in the Baffle Stakes at six furlongs on turf on Jan. 30, but rebounded to win an allowance race for California-bred 3-year-olds at six furlongs on turf Feb. 11 from off the pace.
Smuggler’s Run was later second in an allowance race on turf against open company on March 18. A return to dirt for Smuggler’s Run is not an issue for Baltas.
“He’s trained well over the surface,” he said.
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Baltas envisions Smuggler’s Run racing from a stalking position behind Moose Mitchell and What in Blazes, who were first and second in a six-furlong allowance race for statebreds at six furlongs on March 7. What in Blazes also is owned by Nish, and he is trained by John Sadler.
The small field includes Mr. T’s Thirsty, claimed for $50,000 in January by Bill Spawr, and the stakes winner Finneus, trained by Walther Solis.
Finneus won the Golden State Juvenile at seven furlongs at Del Mar last November, but is winless in his last three starts. Finneus was second at 1-5 after a wide trip in the Turf Paradise Derby on March 11 and has since worked quickly for his first start in a sprint since the Golden State Juvenile.
Evening Jewel
Connie Swingle had a perfect season at Del Mar last summer, winning two races by a combined 10 3/4 lengths.
Sore shins put the 2-year-old filly on the sidelines until a recent return to trainer Phil D’Amato’s stable for a 3-year-old season that begins in Saturday’s $150,000 Evening Jewel Stakes for statebred fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs.
“I think she’s a stronger version than what she was a 2-year-old,” D’Amato said.
Connie Swingle, who overcame illness earlier this year, has worked quickly in advance of the Evening Jewel. Last Sunday, Connie Swingle worked five furlongs from the gate in 59 seconds, the fastest work at the distance. Jockey Kyle Frey was aboard for the workout and has the mount in the Evening Jewel.
Last summer, Connie Swingle was second in her debut in a maiden special weight race at Los Alamitos in July, won a similar race at Del Mar in August, and won the Generous Portion Stakes for statebreds at six furlongs there in September in her final start of the year.
Owned and bred by Nick Alexander, Connie Swingle is part of a field of nine in the Evening Jewel.
Everlys Girl won a maiden special weight race at six furlongs from the front by 8 1/2 lengths in her last start on March 18. Everlys Girl is likely to be near the front from post 8 in the Evening Jewel.
“It sure helped our chances where she drew,” trainer Brian Koriner said.
Koriner is fearful of Connie Swingle.
“She looks like any kind of horse,” he said. “I think I can beat the rest and be right there.”