Thor’s Echo pursues Eclipse in DeFrancis

Breeders’ Cup Sprint hero Thor’s Echo is seeking his second Grade 1 victory in the DeFrancis (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com) THOR’S ECHO (Swiss Yodeler) recorded the biggest victory of his career when annexing the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Churchill Downs, and the Doug O’Neill charge will attempt to secure champion sprint honors with a victory in Saturday’s $300,000 Frank J. DeFrancis Memorial Dash S. (G1). Tabbed as the 8-5 favorite on the morning line, the four-year-old gelding will face eight rivals in the six-furlong event at Laurel Park. A two-time stakes winner last season, Thor’s Echo turned in a stellar performance earlier this year when finishing second in the Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) in Dubai in March. Following a lengthy freshening, the California-bred runner finished fourth in the grassy Green Flash H. at Del Mar and then prepped for the Breeders’ Cup with an excellent second in the Ancient Title Breeders’ Cup S. (G1). He easily defeated the best sprinters in the country last time, winning the Sprint by four lengths, and Corey Nakatani will once again be in the saddle on Saturday. “We just thought he’s such a cool horse to us, and the Breeders’ Cup was the pinnacle for all of us, we just thought for the horse, how cool it would be for him to go into the books as the Eclipse Award-winning sprinter,” O’Neill said. “We just thought he had to do one more thing to really get the attention of the East Coast.” Breeders’ Cup Sprint third-placer NIGHTMARE AFFAIR (Out of Place) is a top challenger. Trained by Manny Azpurua, the five-year-old horse earned his biggest career win when capturing the Smile Sprint H. (G2) this summer, and the eight-time stakes victor reeled off four straight victories earlier this season. Ramon Dominguez will pick up the mount. ATTILA’S STORM (Forest Wildcat) also competed in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, finishing fifth after dueling for the early lead, and his speed is dangerous in this spot. Multiple Grade 1-placed, the Richard Schosberg-trained four-year-old will be making his fourth start of the year in the DeFrancis. DIABOLICAL (Artax) will enter the DeFrancis off a sharp 2 1/2-length score in the Gallant Bob H. at Philadelphia Park, and CELTIC INNIS (Yarrow Brae), winner of the Vincent A. Moscarelli Memorial S. two back, exits a second in the Maryland Million Sprint H.

In post position order, the contestants are Diabolical, Mario Pino, 116, 10-1;
CRAFTY SCHEMER (Crafty Prospector), Ryan Fogelsonger, 118, 15-1; Celtic Innis, Horacio
Karamanos, 118, 12-1; MACH SPEED (A.P. Indy), no rider, 118, 20-1; Nightmare Affair, 122,
3-1;
JOEY CARSON (Lord Carson), no rider, 118, 12-1; Attila’s Storm, Anna Napravnik, 118,
3-1;
COPPERTONE KID (Gold Case), Jeremy Rose, 116, 20-1; and Thor’s Echo, 122.

Seven other stakes will be held on the Fall Festival of Racing card. The

$125,000 Laurel Futurity, which was captured by Kentucky Derby (G1) winner
Barbaro last year, drew an overflow field of 17 juveniles. Only 14 will be allowed to
start in the 1 1/16-mile turf test, and ADORE THE GOLD (Formal Gold) is a
leading contender in his turf debut. The Michael Gorham-trained colt opened his career with two
straight victories, including a win in the Dover S., before finishing fifth in
the Nashua S. (G3) last out. Pilgrim S. runner-up STRIKE A DEAL (Smart Strike)
and recent maiden winner RUTLEDGE CAT (Tale of the Cat) are also part of the
line-up. The
$125,000 Selima S. is the fillies’ counterpart to the Laurel Futurity, and 14
juvenile misses are set for the 8 1/2-furlong turf heat. STREET SOUNDS (Street
Cry [Ire]) exits a third in the Jessamine S. for trainer Michael Matz, and
EXPECTED PLEASURES (Allen’s Prospect) looms as a contender for conditioner Robin
Graham off her runner-up finish in the Maryland Million Lassie S.

A full field of 14 sophomore fillies is entered in the

$125,000 Anne Arundel S. at one mile. Raven Run S. (G2) queen LEAH’S SECRET
(Tiger Ridge) and Chilukki S. (G2) winner SANGRITA (Mr. Greeley) are among the
top draws, although Sangrita is expected to opt for Thursday’s Falls City H.
(G2) at Churchill Downs. The
$100,000
Laurel Turf Cup S. attracted 20 entries, but only 14 will head to the post
in the 1 1/8-mile affair. Multiple Grade 2 victor DREADNAUGHT (Lac Ouimet) and
Knickerbocker H. (G3) runner-up FISHY ADVICE (Woodman) are both part of the main
field.

Multiple Grade 2 winner MIRACULOUS MISS (Mr. Greeley) heads a field of 11
distaffers entered in the
$100,000
Stefanita S. at seven furlongs, and French classic winner LATICE (Ire) (Inchinor
[GB]) is the top draw in the
$100,000
April Run S., which attracted an overflow field of 20 for nine furlongs on the
grass. The
$50,000 Maryland Million Starter H. is the first stakes race on the card,
and 10 runners will contest the one-mile event.