Gun Runner Filly Tabbed a ‘Rising Star’ at the Spa

[Wandering Eyes]

Echo Zulu (f, 2, Gun Runner–Letgomyecho by Menifee), a half-sister to GISW and 'TDN Rising Star' Echo Town (Speightstown), followed in her older brother's footsteps with a 'Rising Star' debut effort at the Spa.

The 4-1 chance tracked 3-2 favorite Lady Scarlet (Union Rags), a debut second at Churchill June 4, from second through an opening quarter in :22:07. Echo Zulu cruised up to challenge for command approaching the quarter pole under confident handling by Ricardo Santana, Jr., and took off impressively from there to graduate by five expanding lengths.

The final time for 5 1/2 furlongs was 1:04.69. Microbiome (Twirling Candy) won the earlier division of this race earlier on the card, stopping the timer in 1:05.60 for the same distance.

This is the eighth winner and first 'Rising Star' for freshman sire Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}).

“Opening day at Saratoga and that was a very impressive group of 2-year-old fillies assembled,” winning trainer Steve Asmussen said on the FS2 broadcast in the winner's circle. “For her to show her class and being from the first crop of Gun Runner, and the success they've already had–that's his eighth maiden special winner–and her being a half-sister to Echo Town, who won the Jerkens here for us last year, sky's the limit for the filly.”

Sales history: $300,000 yrl '20 KEESEP.

Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0.

O-L and N Racing LLC and Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Betz/J. Betz/Burns/CHNNHK/Magers/CoCo Equine/Ramsby (Ky); T-Steve Asmussen.

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