1st-Belmont, $71,250, Msw, 6-10, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:05.57, ft.
WHISKEY ECHO (c, 2, Tiznow–Atala, by Stormy Atlantic) took all the money for his debut in the Sunday opener at Belmont and validated the support with a convincing score. Showing a bullet half-mile gate drill at Keeneland in :46 3/5 (1/49) May 29, the $225,000 Keeneland September graduate was bet strongly throughout and broke as the 1-2 favorite in a scratched-down field of four. Away sharply if a bit awkwardly, the dark bay quickly established command and showed the way through a :23.35 quarter. Having to be worked on a bit by Irad Ortiz, Jr. on the latter half of the turn, he nevertheless cut the corner and leveled off nicely in the final furlong to triumph by 3 1/2 lengths. Fellow firster Mucho (Blame) finished with interest to complete the exacta. The winner's unraced dam is responsible for colts by Empire Maker of 2017 and this season. She is a half-sister to GISW Aldiza (Storm Cat) and MGSW Atelier (Deputy Minister), while GSW second dam Aishah (Alydar) is a full-sister to 1983's champion juvenile filly Althea. Whiskey Echo also shares a third dam, Courtly Dee (Never Bend) with GI Breeders' Cup Classic hero Bayern (Offlee Wild). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $45,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC & Willis Horton Racing LLC; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen.[bullet ad=”taylor-made-tm-for-you”]
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