Thor’s Echo to Try Turf

Thor’s Echo will try turf for the first time when he makes his first start in about 4 1/2 months in the $85,000 Green Flash Handicap today at Del Mar.

Trained by Doug O’Neill, Thor’s Echo, a 4-year-old Swiss Yodeler gelding, hasn’t raced since finishing second in the $2-million Golden Shaheen on March 25 in the United Arab Emirates.

Thor’s Echo finished 1 1/4 lengths behind Proud Tower Too in a Group I that was dominated by California-based horses. Jet West finished third and Captain Squire was fourth in the six-furlong Shaheen. A winner of three of 14 and less than $15,000 shy of becoming a millionaire, Thor’s Echo will be ridden by Corey Nakatani against seven others in the five-furlong Flash.

Carthage also will be making his grass debut. Fifth of six in the Bing Crosby Handicap on July 30, a loss that ended a five-race winning streak, Carthage, a 6-year-old Smoke Glacken gelding, will have a new rider today. Jon Court takes over on the nine-time winner for trainer-part owner Art Sherman.

Race of the day: Magical Ride, an impressive 2-year-old, will make her stakes debut in the $200,000 Adirondack Breeders’ Cup today at Saratoga. Fernando Jara will ride the Storm Cat filly for trainer Rusty Arnold in the Grade II at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Magical Ride beat maidens by four lengths under Jara while running five furlongs in 57 seconds July 14 at Belmont Park. Her opponents include Chagall, Octave and Richwoman.

One for the road: Danzhound is the lonespeed in the fourth race, a $20,000 claimer at six furlongs, today at Bay Meadows and could go wire to wire for his 12th victory.

Roberto Gonzalez will ride the 7-year-old Foxhound gelding for trainer Keith Bennett, who claimed Danzhound for $16,000 last month at Solano. Danzhound has won five times over the Bay Meadows main track.

Exotically speaking: Late daily doubles keying Railroad in the seventh to Marathon Mom, Racy Ack and Wacky Dixie in the eighth.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 3/65. Money: (previous day/meet total): $14.80/$362. Total money bet: $410.