Big Sweep Bests the Boys in Echo Eddie

ARCADIA, CA – Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal’s Big Sweep deployed a strong stretch bid to sweep past her male rivals and get up at the wire to win Saturday’s $150,000 Echo Eddie Stakes for 3-year-old California-breds.

Breaking from the far outside post 8 under Flavien Prat as the even-money favorite, Big Sweep broke well but settled toward the rear early. Up front, Stir the Pot and Bettor Trip Nick dueled heads apart through a quick opening 1/4-mile in :21.56 before Stir the Pot began to give way heading into the far turn.

Rookie Mistake swept alongside and past Bettor Trip Nick at the 1/4 pole and turned for home on the lead, but after moving forward under her own power through the corner, Big Sweep was hot on Rookie Mistake’s heels. Rookie Mistake fought gamely as Big Sweep inched alongside her near the 1/16 pole, but in the shadow of the wire, the bettors’ choice pulled forward before getting her head down first.

Trained by Mark Glatt, Big Sweep completed the 6-furlong fast dirt sprint in 1:10.23.

“She ran really well,” Prat said. “She settled nicely behind the speed and she handled the kick-back like a pro. She’s got a lot of heart.”

Club Aspen bobbled at the start and lingered toward the rear early but rallied in the stretch to take third, 2 1/2 lengths behind the top pair and 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Bettor Trip Nick. Phantom Boss headed Audace for fifth, while behind them came Project Leader and an empty Stir the Pot to complete the order of finish.

Summer Fire was scratched.

Big Sweep’s win was her second in as many starts, having broken her maiden on debut over this course and distance on March 14. The 3-year-old daughter of Mr. Big, purchased for $40,000 as a yearling, has now earned $123,000.

“The race unfolded totally different than we thought,” Glatt said. “We didn’t expect to be that far back, but she handled the dirt in her face very well. To be able to show a totally different dimension in only her second start is pretty amazing.”

Big Sweep returned $4.20 to win, $3.40 to place, and $2.60 to show. Rookie Mistake brought back $7 to place and $4.80 to show, while Club Aspen paid $3 to show.