Miller’s pair has them surrounded

CYPRESS, Calif. – River Echo must show patience in the first half of an optional claimer at a mile Sunday at Los Alamitos.

“He’s going to have to because Got Even is going to the lead,” trainer Peter Miller said. “I’m hopeful we’ve got them surrounded.”

Miller starts two of the six runners in the optional claimer, the leading race on the final day of the Los Alamitos summer meeting. Del Mar opens its summer meeting Wednesday.

KEY CONTENDERS

River Echo, by Equiano

Last 3 Beyers: 92-87-89

◗ For a non-stakes horse, River Echo is well traveled this year. He had two starts at Santa Anita in January and March, winning once, and was third in an optional claimer May 5 at Churchill Downs before finishing second in an optional claimer June 10 at Belmont Park.

Miller had runners in major stakes at those tracks those weekends and took River Echo as part of his traveling group. In both races, River Echo set the pace before fading in the stretch.

“Those were tough allowance races,” Miller said. “I think he’s better with a target, which is what he’ll get on Sunday.”

Got Even, by Stephen Got Even

Last 3 Beyers: 82-88-84

◗ Got Even was a well-beaten third in the Thor’s Echo Handicap for California-bred sprinters June 11 at Santa Anita, his first start since being claimed by Miller for $50,000 in April. Miller trained the 8-year-old Got Even from the start of his career in 2011 until January 2016, when the gelding was claimed for $50,000 by Bill Spawr.

◗ Sunday’s race will be the 56th start for Got Even, who has won seven times. Miller insists that Got Even is better in two-turn races.

“I think he’s got a huge chance,” Miller said. “He looks like the only speed in the race. He’s tough when he gets an easy lead.”

Just Kidding, by Kiss the Kid

Last 3 Beyers: 64-73-78

◗ Just Kidding has not raced since January but has worked quickly at Santa Anita in recent weeks, giving trainer Peter Eurton hope that the 5-year-old gelding can end a 12-race losing streak since October 2015.

“He had some minor things that were bugging him from reaching out the way he could,” Eurton said. “A little time healed that up. He’s a happy horse now.”

◗ Just Kidding is one of three runners in the race with a win on this track.

Curlin Road won a maiden race here last September and was later fifth in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Derby.

City Steel won his only start here in a $25,000 claimer last September. Trained by Rafael Becerra, City Steel won a starter handicap for former $10,000 claimers June 9 at Santa Anita and is the only horse in Sunday’s field with a win in his last start.