When trainer Allen Gideon took his mare, Bella Capini, to the breeding shed 5 years ago he was in for a surprise.
The last time Tom Wenzel was part of a three-horse entry was in the 2007 Longacres Mile. On that historic afternoon owner Ron Crockett finished one-two in the Northwest’s biggest race with The Great Face and Raise the Bluff, and his third entrant Don’twritemeoff finished 10th.
The 3-year-old divisions take center stage as Emerald Downs presents a stakes double-header over the Memorial Day weekend.
My Untamed Heart powered to the lead into the turn and drew off late for a 5 ½-length victory Saturday in the $11,900 Cascade Coffee Purse for older fillies and mares.
Noosa Beach drew the outside post-position and will be heavily favored Sunday as the road to the Longacres Mile begins with the $50,000 Governor’s Handicap at 6-½ furlongs.
Rossi Reserve wore down barn mate Tasya in the final strides for a half-length victory Saturday in the $18,600 Pegasus Training and Equine Rehabilitation Center Purse for 3-year-old fillies at Emerald Downs.
Newfound Gold, an 11-1 long shot, led gate-to-wire and notched a 2 ½-length victory Sunday in the $13,800 Comcast Purse at Emerald Downs.
Several members of the local handicapping fraternity along with Emerald Downs’ personnel were polled for selections for the 137th Kentucky Derby. If their consensus is right, Arch Arch Arch will be wearing a garland of roses Saturday in Louisville.
Dream Sweeper, the longest shot in the race, wore down No Flies On Doodle and scored a 1 ½-length victory Sunday in the $21,000 Industry Sign and Graphics Purse for fillies and mares at Emerald Downs.
Rescue Plan, a front-runner most of his career, rallied from last place to score an exciting victory Saturday in the $10,900 Coors Miller Purse for older horses at Emerald Downs.
Hayjax, racing for the first time since October, blitzed a good field of 3-year-olds Friday in the $9,800 Dreyers Purse under the lights at Emerald Downs.
With Joe Crispin aboard for his third win of the night, Hayjax ran 5-½ furlongs in 1:03.08 on a fast track and paid $9.20, $3.40 and $3.20.
The Seattle Thunderbirds office is once again putting a team together for the Kent Relay for Life on June 3 and 4.
Emerald Downs offers 20 live races this weekend, 10 Saturday and 10 Sunday, complemented by a promising weather forecast. Saturday calls for partly sunny conditions with a high of 59 degrees and Sunday is even better, sunny with a high of 64.
Winning Machine, voted Top 3-Year-Old at the 2009 meeting, served notice Sunday that he means business as a 5-year-old in 2011.
The consistent Cat On Base made a smooth transition into older horse company Saturday in the $14,800 Miller-Coors Purse at Emerald Downs.
With Gallyn Mitchell riding, Cat On Base led all the way for a 2 ¼-length victory over long shot Newfound Gold in 1minute, 3.67 for 5 ½ furlongs on a fast track. The winner paid $4, $2.80 and $2.10.
Giuseppe G returned to the races with a flourish Friday evening with a 5 ¼ -length victory in the $13,300 Griffin Place Purse for 3-year-olds at Emerald Downs.
Washington Horse of the Year and 2010 Emerald Downs Horse of the Meeting Noosa Beach returned to action in grand style Friday afternoon in Vancouver, B. C.
With Gallyn Mitchell riding, Noosa Beach defeated a star-studded field of older horses in the $52,420 George Royal Stakes at Hastings Racecourse. Noosa Beach finished 1-½ lengths in front of Senor Rojo while running 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.05 on the bullring.
Wasserman, all-time money earner ($514,722) at Emerald Downs, could bolster his earnings Sunday with a top-five finish in the $21,000 allowance race for older horses at six furlongs.
To keep his stablemate at bay, the 9-year-old Wasserman must finish ahead of Assessment, who is second in the respective standings with $399,105. Trainer Howard Belvoir said both Wasserman and Assessment have been training great in the mornings.
Veteran speedster Olympic Lights routed six overmatched opponents Saturday by 5 ¼ lengths in the $11,900 American Horse Transportation Purse for older horses at Emerald Downs.
With Robert Skelly riding, Olympic Lights ran 5 ½ furlongs in 1minute, 2.63 seconds on a wet-fast track and paid $12.20, $6 and $4. Charles Essex is the trainer and co-owner with Moon Glow Farms and Dennis Trenkenschuh.
Emerald Downs season opener slide show
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