Pimlico: Awesome Aaron, Echo Sound win undercard stakes

Photo:

Carlos J. Calo / Eclipse Sportswire

Six-year-old gelding Awesome Aaron, an ex-claimer not among the original 28 nominees, hooked up with Phileas Fogg in mid-stretch and edged clear approaching the wire for a thrilling, three-quarter-length victory in Friday’s Grade 3, $250,000 Pimlico Special.

The 55th running of the race for 3-year-olds and up was the fifth of six stakes, three graded, worth $1.05 million in purses on a 14-race Black-Eyed Susan (G2) day program at Pimlico.

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It was the first Pimlico Special victory for both Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez and trainer Norm Casse, a son and former assistant of Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse.

Under a steady drizzle, Velazquez settled Awesome Aaron in fourth racing in the clear three wide. The 2024 Lexington (G3) winner Encino took the early initiative and led through a quarter-mile in 23.26 seconds. Phileas Fogg, coming off a resounding victory in the April 5 Excelsior at Aqueduct, provided mild pressure in second with 45-1 long shot Time for Trouble saving ground inside in third.

The top runners went unchanged after a half-mile in 47.17 seconds with 9-5 favorite Star of Wonder sticking a head in front of Awesome Aaron for fourth. Encino remained in front turning for home, but Phileas Fogg quickly overtook the leader once straightened for home as Awesome Aaron geared up for his run on the far outside. Phileas Fogg dug in as Awesome Aaron moved up on even terms but was unable to resist the challenge.

“He came out running good, but I didn’t take any hold of him, and I know those two horses have some speed,” Velazquez said. “Texting back and forth with Norm (Casse in Kentucky) this morning, I said I don’t want to take away from what he’s doing easy, but I’m going to let him go to the first turn and see where he is and leave him alone. If he’s second or third, just let him be comfortable. He did that all the way around, and he put in a really good fight in the lane.”

Star of Wonder was third, 4 3/4 lengths back. San Siro, Cataleya Strike, Time for Trouble, Encino, Just Steel after a bad stumble out of the gate and Red Route One completed the finish in that order. Pyrenees, the 8-5 program favorite, was scratched by trainer Cherie DeVaux after she was not pleased with how last year’s Pimlico Special winner exited a recent workout.

Owned by Turman Racing Stable and AJ Suited Racing Stable, Awesome Aaron made his 34th career start and seventh since being claimed for $40,000 out of a six-furlong claiming victory in September. The Pimlico Special was his fourth stakes attempt and second against graded company after running sixth in the 2023 A.G. Vanderbilt (G1) at Saratoga. In his most recent start the $350,000 juvenile purchase of 2021 was a 5 3/4-length optional claiming winner April 12 at Oaklawn Park.

Echo Sound rebounds to win Miss Preakness

Echo Sound, who had a three-race win streak snapped in her prior start, rebounded sharply in her season debut to become a graded-stakes winner at first asking in the $150,000 Miss Preakness (G3) for 3-year-old fillies.

“She trained good,” said winning trainer Rusty Arnold, who was happy rain stayed away. “We were worried about the racetrack. Ended up lucky and got a fast racetrack. I loved the way she broke running. Luis let her settle back. You always worry you don’t have her fit enough. But she was fit enough.”

Echo Sound, who paid $9.80, covered the distance over a fast main track in 1:11.14 to give jockey Luis Saez and trainer Rusty Arnold their first win in the Miss Preakness. It was two lengths back to 25-1 long shot You’ll Be Back with Hollygrove, sent off at 23-1, another three-quarters of a length back in third.

G W’s Girl, Mila Rose, High Paf, Not Too Late, Stunner, Volleyballprincess, Delray and Family completed the finish in that order. Long Neck Paula and Vodka With a Twist were scratched.

Saez kept Echo Sound in the clear four wide as Hollygrove set the pace with a 22.95-second opening quarter-mile chased by G W’s Girl and Family. You’ll Be Back moved into a challenging position along the inside after a half in 46.64 seconds, but neither she nor the leader was a match for Echo Sound’s powerful far outside move that saw the bay daughter of Echo Town roll through the stretch and win while geared down.

Echo Sound, owned by Gabriel Duignan, graduated on debut Aug. 3 at Ellis Park and then notched wins in an optional claimer and then at Keeneland in the six-furlong Myrtlewood before wrapping up her juvenile campaign with a runner-up finish in the 6 1/2-furlong Fern Creek on Nov. 30, her most recent previous start.

Arnold said the Test (G1) this summer at Saratoga would be a goal for Echo Sound.