TDN RISING STARS

August 20, 2022 - Saratoga, Race 7, Msw, USD $105,000, 6 1/2F

Echo Again, C, 2, 2020 by Gun Runner

1st Dam: Teardrop, by Tapit
2nd Dam: Wild Vision, by Wild Again
3rd Dam: Carol's Wonder, by Pass the Tab

Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC
Breeder: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (KY)
Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Echo Again (Gun Runner) was no secret coming into this debut and ran to the hype, becoming the latest 'TDN Rising Star' for his sensational young sire with an eye-catching graduation at Saratoga. Away quickest of all from the center stall, the 3-5 chalk seized the early advantage and seemed well within himself as he coasted along through opening splits of :22.39 and :45.66. Turning for home with a head of steam, the gray opened up with ease while under a hand ride from Ricardo Santana, Jr. to win for fun by 6 3/4 lengths. Summonyourcourage (Practical Joke) was best of the rest in second. The Winchell homebred is the sixth 'TDN Rising Star' for last year's leading freshman sire and Horse of the Year Gun Runner, who was campaigned by the same connections. Echo Again is a fourth generation Winchell homebred. Current stable principal Ron Winchell's father, Verne Winchell, acquired and campaigned the colt's fourth dam Carol's Christmas (Whitesburg) back in the early eighties. The winner's SP dam Teardrop also walked the Asmussen shedrow, as have her older offspring SW & GSP Pneumatic (Uncle Mo)--a fellow 'Rising Star'--and SP Costa Terra (Gun Runner). Teardrop is a half-sister to GI Forego S. winner and sire Pyro (Pulpit), GSW War Echo (Tapit), SW & G1SP Farrier (Tapit), and MSW & GSP Longview Drive (Pulpit). The 11-year-old mare produced a filly by these connections' Copper Bullet in 2021 and had a Gun Runner colt Apr. 24 of this year. She returned to that dual Eclipse Winner this season.