The strategy in the $10,000 Baxter Stakes was apparent early with the filly Tuff Britt taking the lead early and trying to carry the field gate to wire, but favored Tribal Echo had other ideas, sweeping around the leaders turning into the lane and taking the Baxter by a length.  He covered the six furlongs in 1:15.1 paying $4.80 for the win.

“He’s a good horse,” said trainer Joe Hawley, who also trains 3rd place finisher Grannys Pro ($3.20).  “I was actually worried about Granny getting away loose on the lead alone, but they both did well.”

Well regarded Passed Due was up for second ($3.20).

Winning jockey Mike Ziegler admitted that they were trying to adjust the horse’s front running style.

“We wanted to teach the horse to come off the pace,” Ziegler said.  “The first couple were really pushing so I took him back a little.”

When the time to came to run, Tribal Echo left no doubt who the champion was, taking his second in a row coming from off the pace.  A lesson learned well.