Corona B Gone prevails at 17-1 in the 2018 Bank of America Challenge
$35,000 BANK OF AMERICA CHALLENGE THIS SUNDAY
One of the finest jockeys in track history, 47-year-old Javier Matias is enjoying a sparkling 2019 meeting at Emerald Downs. With 42 wins in 203 mounts, the Mexico City native ranks third in wins, second in win percentage (21.0), tied for second in stakes wins (3), and third in earnings ($523,695).
Matias showcased his versatility last Sunday by sweeping the stakes doubleheader for 2-year-olds, riding Cakewalk gate to wire in the Barbara Shinpoch for fillies, and rallying Muncey from far back to take the WTBOA Lads Stakes for colts and geldings.
Matias’ riding ability is no secret, of course, and horsemen regularly seek out his services. But not everyone realizes Matias is also a talented Quarter Horse rider, compiling a 17 for 45 career mark at Emerald Downs–37.8 percent–including Bh Lisas Boy’s record triumph in the 2015 Bank of America Emerald Downs Championship Challenge.
Matias is 2 for 2 year this year on quarter horse, including Cm Boom Shakalaka’s victory in the trials three weeks ago. Trained by Nick Lowe and co-owned by Lowe and Chris Sutton, Cm Boom Shakalaka ran the fastest qualifying time–:22.13 for 440 yards–and the likely favorite in Sunday’s 9th running of the $35,000 Bank of America Emerald Downs Championship Challenge. A 4-year-old Oregon-bred by Carters Cartel, Cm Boom Shakalaka is 9 for 20 lifetime with over $103,000 in earnings, a record that includes a pair of stakes wins at Los Alamitos.
For Sweet Jess–second fastest qualifier at :22.15–is 13 for 33 lifetime with over $106,000 in earnings and trained by Juan Sanguino, who saddled Chicks Special Angel to an easy victory in the 2014 Bank of America Challenge.
Sunday’s race is expected to gross over $60,000 in purse money and goes as Race 9 at 6:09 p.m.
The last two years resulted in giant upsets, with Secretly Fast scoring at 60 to 1 in 2017 and Corona B Gone at 17 to 1 in 2018.
Sunday’s card also features the $25,000 John Deere Juvenile Challenge for 2-year-olds at 350 yards, and $15,000 Emerald Downs Distance Challenge for 3-year-olds and up at 870 yards.
In the Juvenile Challenge, a pair of Northwest Futurity champions head the eight-horse field: Senor Frogs, winner of the $38,000 Grants Pass Firecracker Futurity; and John Carter Cash, winner the $27,500 Sun Downs Futurity.
The field for the 9th running of the $35,000 Bank of America Emerald Downs Championship Challenge, 440 yards (Race 9, 6:09 p.m.):1-Love to Reason Br, Leonardo Gonzalez, 124 lbs; 2-Wagonfullofdividends, Jesus Canales, 124; 3-Favorite Bling, J.E. Lopez, 124; 4-L Bar D Razle Dazle, Jake Samuels, 124; 5-Cm Boom Shakalaka, Javier Matias, 124; 6-L Bar D Genuine Red, Lorenzo Lopez, 124; 7-I Aint Callin, J. Luis Torres, 124; 8-For Sweet Jess, Alex Anaya, 124; 9-Tickle Ur Fancy, Robert Burney, 124; 10-Kool Odds, Nakia Ramirez, 124.
Qualifying times: Cm Boom Shakalaka, :22.13; For Sweet Jess, :22.15; I Aint Callin, :22.23; Kool Odds, :22.23; Love to Reason Br, :22.28; L Bar D Genuine Red, :22.35; L Bar D Razle Dazle, :22.39; Tickle Ur Fancy, :22.43; Favorite Bling, :22.46; Wagonfullofdividends, :22.57.
Bh Lisas Boy and Javier Matias
BH LISAS BOY STILL GOING STRONG
Who is the fastest Quarter Horse in Emerald Downs’ history?
It would be difficult to argue against Bh Lisas Boy, who as a 3-year-old set track records for winning margin, 1 ¾ lengths, and fastest time, :21.37 for 440 yards, while winning the 2015 Bank of America Emerald Downs Championship Challenge.
Owned and trained by Bill Hoburg, Idaho-bred Bh Lisas Boy continues to thrive at Los Alamitos. The now 7-year-old is 21 for 40 lifetime with $805,553 in earnings, including a victory two weeks ago in the Bank of America Regional Challenge Stakes in :21.65 for 440 yards. He has nine stakes wins including four Grade 1s.
2019 Stakes @ Emerald Downs
Stakes: 20 Total Horses: 169 Average Field Size: 8.5
Average $2 Win: $11.40
Favorite: 8 for 20
2nd Favorite: 2 for 20
Largest $2 Win: $32.60, Twirling Devon (Irish Day Stakes)
Smallest $2 Win: $2.40, Anyportinastorm (Governor’s Stakes)
Winner Bred: Washington 9, Kentucky 6, Florida 3, California 2
Winning Sire: Smiling Tiger 3, City Zip 2, Flatter 2, Majesticperfection 2, Twirling Candy 2, Abraaj 1, Coast Guard 1, Demon Warlock 1, Eskendereya 1, Grazen 1, Mucho Macho Man 1, Slew’s Tiznow 1, Super Saver 1, Munnings 1
Trainer Wins: Blaine Wright 8, Frank Lucarelli 2, Howard Belvoir 2, Chris Stenslie 2, Roddina Barrett 1, Mark Glatt 1, Dan Markle 1, Manny Ortiz 1, Faith Taylor 1, Tom Wenzel 1
Jockey Wins: Kevin Orozco 4, Franklin Ceballos 3, Juan Hernandez 3, Javier Matias 3, Scott Stevens 2, Jorge Carreno 1, Abel Cedillo 1, Lorenzo Lopez 1, Gary Wales 1, Jennifer Whitaker 1
RACING THIS WEEK
Friday, August 23 (53/67)
6:30 p.m. (7 races)
Fab Friday
Saturday, August 24 (54/67)
5 p.m. (8 races)
Breakfast at the Wire (8-10 a.m.)
Dollar Night
Sunday, August 25 (55/67)
2 p.m. (10 races)
$35,000 Bank of America Challenge (QH)
$25,000 John Deere Juvenile Challenge (QH)
Handicapping Tournament
Beau Rocket
BEYERS & FAST TIMES
Friday, August 16
Race 1: Coastal Son-39
Race 2: Lovefliesonwings-31+
Race 3: Smoothee Lee-69
Race 4: Z’s Speranza-44
Race 5: Fleet Marie-51
Race 6: Beau Rocket-71
Race 7: If You Want It-33
Grinder Sparksaglo (No. 7)
Saturday, August 17
Race 1: Shamisen-44
Race 2: Lulu’s Lightening-56
Race 3: Gold Crusher-46+
Race 4: Old School Ike-68
Race 5: Johnny Five-61*
Race 6: Rosso’s Gato-50*
Race 7: Grinder Sparksaglo-72
Race 8: Crushin Candy-63
Muncey
Sunday, August 18
Race 1: Mousey Mousey-69*
Race 2: Cherokee Louise-59
Race 3: Florista-45
Race 4: Smiling Bandit-71*
Race 5: Crest Drive-81*
Race 6: Cakewalk-49+
Race 7: Legitimate Cause-67
Race 8: Muncey-49+
Race 9: La Waun-86*
Race 10: Linchpin Lady-31
* Career-high
** Ties Career-high
+ 2-year-old
# First-time starter
Fastest Times
4 ½ Furlongs :51.96 Windy Point (2f) June 23
5 Furlongs :56.54 Beau Rocket (4f) May 5
5 ½ Furlongs 1:02.04 Best of Me (4f) May 5
6 Furlongs 1:07.54 Anyportinastorm (5h) June 2
6 ½ Furlongs 1:14.35 Anyportinastorm (5h) June 30
1 Mile 1:34.08 Law Abidin Citizen (5g) Aug 11
1 1/16 Mile 1:41.81 Twirling Devon (3f) July 14
1 1/8 Mile 1:48.55 Killarney Lass (3f) Aug 11
Betting Favorites
Last Week: 9-25 (36.0%)
Season: 172-425 (40.4%)
Largest $2 Win: $69.80, Stay in Grace (April 27)
$2 Place: $38, Sassafrass (June 16)
$2 Show: $15.40, Excessive Belief (May 10)
Largest Payouts: $29,739.60 ($0.50 Pick 5, April 28); $16,777.56 ($0.20 Jackpot Pick 7, August 2); $12,038.25 ($0.50 Pick 4, April 27)
2019 Leaders
Gary Wales
Jockey Wins
80-Gary Wales
54-Kevin Orozco
44-Javier Matias
40-Heribert Martinez
39-Juan Gutierrez
28-Franklin Ceballos
25-Ryan Barber
22-Jose Zunino
20-Jorge Carreno
18-Lorenzo Lopez
15-Kevin Krigger
8-Jennifer Whitaker
8-Patrick Henry Jr.
7-Jose Leon*
4-Scott Stevens
3-Alex Anaya
3-Juan Hernandez
2-Francisco Diaz-Lopez
1-Lorenzo Rivera*
1-Abel Cedillo
*Apprentice
Juan Gutierrez
Jockey Earnings
$734,340-Gary Wales
$680,064-Kevin Orozco
$523,695-Javier Matias
$463,561-Eddie Martinez
$453,740-Juan Gutierrez
$350,809-Franklin Ceballos
$317,812-Jorge Carreno
$295,571-Jose Zunino
$249,590-Ryan Barber
$224,302-Lorenzo Lopez
$156,645-Kevin Krigger
$150,064-Juan Hernandez
Frank Lucarelli
Trainer Wins
57-Frank Lucarelli
33-Blaine Wright
22-Jorge Rosales
19-Vince Gibson
17-Alan Bozell
16-Candi Cryderman
14-Pablo De Jesus
13-Chris Stenslie
13-Charles Essex
12-Howard Belvoir
11-Steve Bullock
11-Joe Toye
10-Kay Cooper
10-Tom Wenzel
9-David Martinez
9-Manny Ortiz
8-Terry Gillihan
7-Sharon Ross
6-Jose Navarro
6-Mike Puhich
6-Bob Meeking
5-Arturo Arboleda
5-Robbie Baze
5-Tim McCanna
5-Valentin P. Garcia
5-Roddina Barrett
5-Howie Gibson
5-Bill Tollett
5-Paul Treasure
4-Bonnie Jenne
4-Patty Lydon
4-Linda Northam
4-Edwin Cornier
4-Rigoberto Velasquez
4-Michael Bullene
4-Dan Markle
Blaine Wright
Trainer Earnings
$682,752-Blaine Wright
$560,020-Frank Lucarelli
$221,596-Chris Stenslie
$217,702-Howard Belvoir
$186,438-Tom Wenzel
$176,382-Vince Gibson
$165,562-Candi Cryderman
$158,296-Kay Cooper
$156,490-Steve Bullock
$150,205-Jorge Rosales
$144,138-Alan Bozell
$136,609-Manny Ortiz
Jody Peetz (One Horse Will Do)
Owner Wins
21-Chad Christensen
14-John Parker
8-Marjorie Avery
8-One Horse Will Do Corp. & Chris Stenslie
7-Todd & Shawn Hansen
6-Tim Bankers
6-Peter Redekop BC Ltd.
6-Wanda Munger Racing Stables
6-Hopper’s Racing Stable
5-Gary and Debbie Lusk
5-Greg Conley, Chuck Conley or Terra Firma Farm
4-Howard Belvoir
4-Ron Crockett Inc.
4-Darrin Paul
4-Elwin Gibson or Arturo Arboleda
4-Mark Dedomenico LLC
4-Ron Wise
4-Two Putts for the Win #4, David Lechmanik and Alliance Stable LLC
4-Wayne Williams or Linda Northam
4-Rosales Racing F1 and Rick Southall
3-Ron Crockett Inc.
3-Cindy Winschell
3-John & Janene Maryanski and Riverbend Farm
3-Valentin Picho Garcia
3-Howie Gibson
3-Marjorie Avery & Rosales Racing F1
3-Randall and Rossi LLC or Lucarelli Racing
3-Helios Stable and Alan Bozell
3-Rick Kessler, Terra Firma Farm or Wayne Williams
3-Bony Barn
3-Billy Speed Racing Stable
3-Dreamscape Farm
3-Woodway Stable
3-Allaire Farms
3-Ernest Sherman
3-Ed and Fran Barber
3-Manny Ortiz
3-Glyn Kelly & Anne MacLennan
3-Swag Stables
Dan Agnew (right)
Owner Earnings
$178,605-Chad Christensen
$171,858-Todd & Shawn Hansen
$139,497-John Parker
$135,660-Peter Redekop BC Ltd.
$119,005-Tim Bankers
$101.450-One Horse Will Do Corp. & Chris Stenslie
$96,800-Dan Agnew, Gerry Schneider and John Xitco
$83,295-Ten Broeck Farm
$79,560-Ron Crockett Inc
$71,522-John & Janene Maryanski and Riverbend Farm
$70,038-Howard Belvoir
$58,675-Warlock Stables, Kelly Dougan and Ya Killing Me LLC
Smoothee Lee
Horse Wins
4-Das Bear
4-General Mach Four
4-He’s Not Grey
4-Rosso’s Gatto
3-All Star Allie
3-Beau Rocket
3-Brahms Forest
3-Cherokee Louise
3-Dizzy Diva
3-Flatter Cat
3-Foggia
3-Hold That Smile
3-La Waun
3-Mystical Image
3-Party for One
3-Roamin Effort
3-Smoothee Lee
3-Stay in Grace
3-Tesla
2-Alittlelesstalk*
2-Anyportinastorm**
2-Assets Included
2-Athleisure
2-Baja Sur**
2-Best of Me*
2-Buckley Bay
2-Bullet Express
2-Calex
2-Candorosa
2-Cate’s Gold
2-Chief Osceola
2-Classic Leah
2-Close to Midnight
2-Come On Miranda
2-Cook Up a Storm
2-Cross Creek
2-Deputy’s Command
2-Devil Dog
2-Docktarri
2-Early Morn
2-Emily’s Gold
2-E Z Star Maker
2-Fancy Cookie
2-Fleet Marie
2-Freiburg
2-Grinder Sparksaglo
2-Hejustkeepsgiving
2-Helaman
2-Irish Swing
2-Johnny Five
2-Jupiter S.
2-Killarney Lass*
2-Lasting Light
2-Legitimate Cause
2-Lovefliesonwings
2-Lulu’s Lightening
2-Melchior
2-Mike Man’s Bro
2-Mike Man’s Gold
2-Miner Heat
2-Mister Breeze
2-No Harbor in Sight
2-No Talking Back**
2-Peach of a Pie
2-Perfect Dude*
2-Perfect Blossom
2-Pure Pursuit
2-Roman Rush
2-Romeoinbluejeans
2-Rosies Baby
2-Rough and Ready
2-Scout Patrol
2-Sky Confidential
2-Smiling Bandit
2-Sunshine Emily
2-Sway Road
2-Timberlake Gage
2-Twirling Cinnamon
2-Wheel Rally
2-Wild Wilko
2-Wine At Nine
2-Zanab
2-Ziggy Car Dust
2-Z’s Speranza
*Stakes Win
Law Abidin Citizen
Horse Earnings
$96,800-Law Abidin Citizen
$88,000-Anyportinastorm
$58,675-Alittlelesstalk
$57,362-No Talking Back
$52,800-Baja Sur
$48,225-Perfect Dude
$45,025-Killarney Lass
$44,700-Mucho Amor
$41,675-Best of Me
$39,250-Grinder Sparksaglo
$37,900-My Grandpa
$37,600-Twirling Devon
Atta Boy Roy
2019 Leading Sires
19-Harbor the Gold
15-Atta Boy Roy
13-Coast Guard
12-Smiling Tiger
9-Abraaj
8-Liberty Gold
8-Nationhood
8-Parker’s Storm Cat
7-Papa Clem
7-Sixthirteen
6-Champ Pegasus
6-Nacheezmo
6-Slew’s Tiznow
Salvador Merodio
WEEKLY HONORS #18 (August 16-18): Valpak Jockey: Javier Matias; Muckleshoot Casino Trainer: Frank Lucarelli; EmD Owner: Ten Broeck Farm (David Mowat); Quarter Chute Café Groom: Salvador Merodio (Blaine Wright); WTBOA WA Bred: Gold Crusher (Bar C Racing Stables breeder); Exercise Rider: Lance Bullock.
Disruption in 2014
NOTES: Congratulations to former Emerald Downs’ runner Disruption on being recognized with the the T.I.P. Thoroughbred of the Year Award for excellence in a new non-competitive career. Now known as “Bruce”, the 9-year-old gelding assists with programs at Katie Merwick’s Second Chance Ranch in Spokane, including an equine assisted mental health therapy program and an equine art program which encourages children to express creativity. Retired from racing by owner Heidi Nelson following the death of trainer Monique Snowden in 2016, Disruption earned over $100,000 in a 16-race career that included a pair of stakes placings and an eighth in the 2014 Longacres Mile. The award includes a $5,000 grant–so hats off to Heidi, Katie and most of all Bruce!
