Echo Town became Speightstown’s 18th Grade 1 winner on Saturday with a stirring victory in the $300,000 H. Allen Jerkens S. (G1) at Saratoga, emerging from the pack in the final furlong to win by 3 1/2-lengths.
Speightstown has had a stellar year, with nine black type winners and six graded winners, and more than $6.5 million in progeny earnings today. He is one of only two stallions to sire two Grade 1 winners this year.
Echo Town came into the Jerkens off a second-place finish in the Woody Stephens S. (G1) at Belmont in June 20. Unhurried out of the gate, he sat several lengths off the first quarter-mile that went in :22.67. He began to close in on the leaders on the turn and came four-wide into the stretch. He didn’t strike the front until almost a sixteenth of a mile from the wire, then spurted clear late to get the seven furlongs in 1:22.53.
“It was great to see him put it all together when it matters so much on this stage,” said winning trainer Steve Asmussen. “He ran solidly here. He ran really well into the Woody Stephens, but I thought the timing of this race was better.”
Echo Town races for L and N Racing LLC. Saturday’s win upped his record to 4-2-1 from seven starts and earnings to $375,320.
Pedigree notes from the TDN
Bred in Kentucky by Betz, CHNNHK Thoroughbreds, Magers, et al, Echo Town is out of GSW Letgomyecho, the winner is a half to Grade III victor J Boys Echo and GSP Unbridled Outlaw.
