Big City Lights finally finds room to dominate the Thor’s Echo, Benoit Photo
Santa Anita Park Press
ARCADIA, CA —Odds-on favorite Big City Lights took over in mid-stretch and drew off late under Kazushi Kimura to earn his sixth stakes win in the $100,000 Thor’s Echo Stakes for California-breds going six furlongs on Saturday at Santa Anita.
Trained by Richard Mandella, Big City Lights (4-5) prevailed by 1 1/2 lengths over third-choice Book Smart (9-2). It was another five lengths back to longshot Thirsty Rebel (20-1) in third. Big City Lights, a 7-year-old horse by Mr. Big, won in a time of 1:09.32 after stalking fractions of 22.54, 44.62 and 57.04.
Owned by William R. Peeples, Big City Lights improved to 17:9-4-2 with more than $710,000 in earnings. Previously, he returned from a five-month layoff and beat open company in an allowance going seven furlongs on May 2 at Santa Anita.
Big City Lights paid $3.80, $2.80 and $2.10 Book Smart, ridden by Mike Smith for trainer Bob Hess Jr., returned $4.80 and $4.20. Thirsty Rebel, with Abel Lezcano aboard for trainer Doug O’Neill, returned $6.80.
