Long Weekend Game As Can Be In Bachelor

HOT SPRINGS, AR – B.C.W.T. Ltd.’s Long Weekend ran just about as game as can be on Saturday, dueling his heart out along the inside of Echo Town the length of the stretch en route to winning the $100,000 Bachelor Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Breaking from the far outside post in the field of six as the 2/1 second choice under Joe Talamo, Long Weekend was sent hard from the gate and cleared his inside rivals before setting up shop along the rail. Echo Town and Eight Rings, the 4/5 favorite, flanked him two- and three-wide as they approached the far turn.

After posting opening fractions of :21.82 and :44.97, Long Weekend emerged onto the top of the stretch with a vanishing lead while still stuck on the inside. Eight Rings threw in the towel after straightening, but Echo Town kept Long Weekend company and soon met his throat latch. 

The two colts battled shoulder to shoulder the length of the stretch, but Long Weekend refused to yield and dug down deep to inch ahead late and win by a head. The Tom Amoss trainee completed the 6-furlong sprint over the fast main track in a final time of 1:09.63.

“I thought Joe not only rode a smart race from the break, but was a very strong finisher on my horse and kept him going nicely,” Amoss said. “Any time you have a speed horse that hasn’t been challenged down the lane in his wins, and Long Weekend has not, you have to wonder what’s going to happen when that challenge comes that last portion of the race.”

Though not enough to overcome the stubborn victor, Echo Town was 5 lengths clear of Lykan, who rallied from last to take third by 1 1/4 lengths over Little Menace. An empty Eight Rings and a nonthreatening Sir Rick completed the order of finish.

Beau Oxy, Ginobili, and Liam’s Pride were scratched.

Long Weekend’s win was his third straight, including the 6-furlong Gazebo Stakes here on March 21 over fellow rivals Little Menace and Lykan, to improve his record to 5-4-0-0 with $193,928 earned. The 3-year-old son of Majesticperfection’s lone loss came in last August’s Saratoga Special Stakes (G2), his second career start and his last of 2019 before winning his seasonal debut at Sam Houston on February 19.

“That was a fun race,” Amoss said. “He broke super sharp and was engaged all the way from the top of the lane home. He showed a lot of determination, which is the sign of a good horse.”

Long Weekend returned $6.20 to win, $2.80 to place, and $2.80 to show. Echo Town brought back $3.40 to place and $2.80 to show, while Lykan paid $5.20 to show.