There are some constants in thoroughbred racing, but it seems likely that there would be one constant if there were a sprint race outside the Breeders’ Cup range in Southern California, Vron is selected is the winner.
It’s been that way since the fall of 2022 and still is. Race May 25 in the $98,000 Thor’s Echo Stakes on California Gold Rush Day at Santa Anita Park, the popular gelding game among 6-year-olds prevails again. His victory, his second in a row in Thor’s Echo, marked his 13th win in his last 14 starts since September 2022, with one exception being when he was fifth in 2023 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita.
As usual, he had an easy time against his California-based opponents. Start early to monitor the pace Sawasdee , he comfortably engaged and overtook that rival in the furlongs and came home with minimal urging from regular jockey Hector Berrios. He finished six furlongs in a time of 1:09.37 and returned just $2.10 to win in defeating his three opponents.
Sawasdee holds the runner-up position, first Moose Mitchell in third place and California tiger on Wednesday.
Millionaire co-owner Eric Kruljac Vronsky gelding with Sondereker Racing, Robert Fetkin and Richard Thornburgh. Tiz Molly Partners bred him.
“He’s a great horse,” Kruljac said of The Chosen Vron. “I’m really speechless thinking about all three years of racing, what he’s been through and what he’s accomplished.”
Chosen Vron is now 18 for 23 with earnings of $1,419,678. All but one of his wins were in stakes.
As the Hollywood Meet at Santa Anita ends on June 16, racing in Southern California will soon move to Los Alamitos Race Course And Del Marwhere The Chosen Vron won the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) last summer.
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In other action organized by California on Gold Rush Day:
- Kings River Knights led from start to finish in the $102,000 Crystal Water Stakes on the field under Juan Hernandez for his fifth straight win. Coached by John Sadler Welcome gelding for owners Integrity Thoroughbred Racing, The Ellwood Johnston Trust and Kenneth Tevelde.
- Stay and cheat won the $102,500 Fran’s Valentine Stakes, running the mile on hard turf in 1:35.13, faster than Kings River Knight’s previous hour of 1:35.75. Mario Gutierrez rides Reddam Racing’s daughter Eddie Square for coach Doug O’Neill.
- shady tiger led from the inside and beat all challengers handily to win the $127,500 Snow Chief Stakes by half a length. 3 year old boy Tiger laughed The gelding won his fourth consecutive race ahead of trainer Phil D’Amato and owner/breeder Rusty Brown. After four sprints to begin his career, Shady Tiger accomplished the task of covering the 1 1/8 mile course on turf, stopping the clock in 1:49.70.
- It was another win for stallion Smiling Tiger in the $126,000 Melair Stakes, where the 3-year-old filly Grand Slam smile is the best. Based Golden Gate Fields with coach Steve Specht, Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams ran the 1/16 mile on dirt in 1:45.82 while winning their fourth in seven lifetime races.
