He’s Not Grey debuted with a big upset in the Emerald Express

BIG FIELD SET FOR SUNDAY’S $50,000 WTBOA LADS

A field of 10 2-year-old colts or geldings square off in Sunday’s $50,000 WTBOA Lads Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings at six furlongs. It’s the largest Lads field since 2006, when Wild Cycle rallied for a $96.40 upset in a full field of 12.

John Parker’s He’s Not Grey, coming off a tremendous debut in the July 16 Emerald Express, is the probable favorite on Sunday. A California-bred by Slew’s Tiznow, He’s Not Grey rallied for a 3 1/2-length victory at odds of 11-to-1, sweeping pas the leaders in mid-stretch and quickly drawing clear. Trained by Candi Tollett and ridden by Juan Gutierrez, He’s Not Grey (who actually is gray) ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:05.04, earned a 54 Beyer and a $27,225 first-place check.

He’s Not Grey bids to become the seventh horse in the last 10 years to sweep the Emerald Express and WTBOA Lads Stakes, a list that includes So Lucky (2016), Trackattacker (2014), Del Rio Harbor (2013), Mike Man’s Gold (2012), Hollywood Harbor (2009) and Gallant Son (2008).

Bullet Drill, Brown Tiger and Sippin Fire–second, third and fourth in the Emerald Express–head the opposition.

Trained by Frank Lucarelli, Bullet Drill finished runner-up at 33-to-1 despite being reluctant to load and then racing extremely wide on the turn. Brown Tiger has keen speed and held on for third after dueling with Elliott Bay through fractions of :22.25 for the quarter and :45.91 for the half.

Sippin Fire switches to Rocco Bowen after a fourth as the 9-to-5 favorite in the Emerald Express. By Harbor the Gold-Bahati, Sippin Fire is a full brother to to WTBOA Lads winners Del Rio Harbor (2013) and Couldabenthewhisky (2010).

The field for the 36th running of the WTBOA Lads Stakes: 1-Winter Knight, Jose Zunino, 116 lbs; 2-Sippin Fire, Rocco Bowen, 116; 3-Roamin Effort, David Martin, 114; 4-He’s Not Grey, Eswan Flores, 120; 5-Elliott Bay, Jennifer Whitaker, 114; 6-Bullet Drill, Kevin Orozco, 119; 7-Brown Tiger, Julien Couton, 114; 8-Im Insatiable Too, Isaias Enriquez, 114; 9-Hey Sequoia, Leonel Camacho-Flores, 114; 10-My Heart Awakens, Javier Matias, 114.

• The WTBOA Lads Stakes goes as Race 8 at 5:15 p.m.
• Washington-breds have won the last eight runnings of this race including five winners sired by Harbor the Gold; Mach One Rules (2015), Trackattacker (2014), Del Rio Harbor (2013), Couldabenthewhisky (2010) and Hollywood Harbor (2009).
• Eswan Flores, who takes over the mount from an injured Gutierrez on He’s Not Grey, is the meet’s leading stakes rider with three wins including a triumph on Riser in the $75,000 Emerald Downs Derby.
• Frank Lucarelli (Bullet Drill) is tied with Bud Klokstad for most WTBOA Lads wins at four each.

Bella Mia gate-to-wire in the Angie C

$50,000 BARBARA SHINPOCH LURES NINE

While 2-year-old colts and geldings square off in the WTBOA Lads, the 2-year-old fillies get their chance Saturday in the $50,000 Barbara Shinpoch Stakes at six furlongs.

John and Janene Maryanskis Bella Mia scored by 2 ¼ lengths in the July 16 Angie C Stakes, running 5 ½ furlongs in 1:05.06 and earning a 53 Beyer, and is the 5/2 morning line Shinpoch favorite.

A Washington By Harbor the Gold-Bella Campana, Bella Mia is 2-0-0 in three starts with earnings of $38,788. She broke her maiden by 5 ¼ lengths on July 1, and returned 15 days later to score convincingly in the Angie C, setting fractions of :22.41, :46.40 and :58.65. Her winning time was only .02 slower than He’s Not Grey’s 1:05.04 in the Emerald Express.

Knight Raider in 2009 is the last horse to sweep the Angie C Stakes and Barbara Shinpoch Stakes; Smarty Deb (2007), Calldara (2002), and Taste the Passion (1999) also pulled off an Angie C-Barbara Shinpoch sweep. Blazinbeauty, last year’s Shinpoch winner, went on to beat males in the 2016 Gottsetin Futurity.

Faith Flys Again, runner-up to Bella Mia in both the maiden race and Angie C, drew the No. 1 post, which is just 11 percent (18 for 165) in six-furlong races this season.

The field for the 36th running of the Barbara Shinpoch Stakes: 1-Faith Flys Again, Javier Matias, 113 lbs, 6-1; 2-Curious Rumor, Isaias Enriquez, 115, 9/2; 3-Belle Blaze (s), Leonel Camacho-Flores, 113, 5/1; 4-Bella Mia, Julien Couton, 119, 5/2; 5-Philly Baby, Jose Zunino, 115, 3/1; 6-Diamonds R, Rocco Bowen, 113, 10/1; 7-Sea N Redd, Eswan Flores, 115, 20/1; 8-Runmissnatalia, David Martin, 113, 20/1; 9-Manny’s Way, Erick Lopez, 113, 15/1. (s) supplemental

• The Barbara Shinpoch Stakes goes as Race 8 at 5:15 p.m.
• Blaine Wright (Bella Mia) leads trainers with six stakes wins this season; Doris Harwood holds the track record with 12 in 2007 and 2009.
• Harbor the Gold is the all-time leading stakes sire with 50 wins at Emerald Downs. Slewdledo is second with 27 stakes wins at Emerald Downs.
• Bella Blaze, younger sister of Washington Oaks winner Little Dancer, is a $5,000 supplemental nomination.
• Go Jackie Go, dam of Manny’s Way, is the sister of Emerald Downs’ stakes winners Slew the Man and Indian Weaver.
• The nine-horse field is largest for this race since Chestnut Lady upset 1-to-2 favorite Carrie With a C in a 10-horse field in 2005.
• My Aunt Mo, third to Bella Mia in the Angie C, is entered in Monday’s $50,000 Hard Rock Casino at Hastings Racecourse.

Corgis this Sunday!

CORGI RACING SUNDAY AT EMERALD DOWNS!

For the first time at Emerald Downs, Corgis will take to the racetrack on Sunday, August 6.

More than 40 Corgis will compete at a distance of about 40 yards over five qualifying heats, with the top two finishers in each race advancing to Sunday’s championship race.

At approximately 11 inches tall and 30 pounds the Welsh Corgi is a small type of herding dog that originated in Wales. Two separate breeds are recognized: thePembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.

Emerald Downs Promotions Manager Gary Dougherty, event organizer, is anticipating a big crowd Sunday. “Corgis are extermemly popular. They had over 20,000 people attend Corgi races at Canterbury Park in Minnesota last week,” Dougherty said. Sometimes Corgis run straight, and other times they don’t.  It should be a lot of fun.”

As part of the event the Auburn Valley Humane Society will be at the track in the park area with dogs for adoption.  Post time for the horse racing is at 2 p.m. with the Corgi Races taking place between the horse races throughout the afternoon. Admission for adults is $7 and ages 17 and under are free. More details are available atwww.emeralddowns.com.

RACING THIS WEEK

Friday, August 4
6:30 p.m. (7 races)
Carryover:
$0.20 Pick 7 (1-7) $1,467

Saturday, August 5
2 p.m. (9 races)
$50,000 Barbara Shinpoch Stakes

Sunday, August 6
2 p.m. (10 races)
$50,000 WTBOA Lads Stakes
Corgi Races

BEYERS & FAST TIMES

Friday, July 28
Race 1: Nice Guys Finish-41
Race 2: Ima Voodoo Child-44
Race 3: Personal Image-42
Race 4: Say Neigh-70*
Race 5: Justitia-63*
Race 6: Maurice Code-65
Race 7: Ryan Walt-52

Saturday, July 29
Race 1: Dollys Chestnut-37
Race 2: Trump Itz-48-+*
Race 3: I Double Dare You-58
Race 4:  Dallon’s Gold-60
Race 5: Copy Begone-68*
Race 6: Image of Truth-75*
Race 7: Salty Minnow-53
Race 8: Remembertobreathe-77
Race 9: Island Girl-43*

Sunday, July 30
Race 1: Mr. Takahashi-66
Race 2: Triple G-64*
Race 3: Rockport Birdie-60*
Race 4: Diamond Cut-56*
Race 5: Blame It On Royce-82*
Race 6: Carat Queen-43
Race 7: Hoody-80
Race 8: Riser-88*
Race 9: Candy for Three-65
Race 10: Brenner-42*
* Career-high
# First-time starter
+ 2-year-old

Fastest Times
4 ½ Furlongs :51.45 Rosie’s Reward (2yog), June 24
5 Furlongs :56.38 All for Me (4yog), April 9
5 ½ Furlongs 1:01.10 Prime Engine (5yog), April 22
6 Furlongs 1:07.83 Emmett Park (6yog), July 2
6 ½ Furlongs 1:13.94 Mach One Rules (4yog), June 18
1 Mile 1:34.65 Mike Man’s Gold (7yog), July 7
1 1/16 Mile 1:42.55 Mach One Rules (4yog), July 16
1 1/8 Mile 1:49.41 Riser (3yoc), July 30
300 Yards :15.787 Augie Meyer (5yog), June 10
350 Yards :17.968 Tickle Ur Fancy (4yof), June 4

Most Wins
5-Rockport Birdie (6yom)
4-Jerre to Carrie (4yof)
4-Wine At Nine (5yog)
3-14 tied

Highest Earnings
Riser (Oh) $88,925-
Citizen Kitty (Wa) $69,300
Mach One Rules (Wa) $68,225)
Little Dancer (Ky) $58,725
Aqua Frio (Ky) $56,200

Leading Jockeys
Rocco Bowen-83
Kevin Orozco-45
Eswan Flores-41
Juan Gutierrez-37
L. Camacho-Flores-28

Leading Trainers
Blaine Wright-36
Frank Lucarelli-22
Charles Essex-21
Jeff Metz-19
Joe Toye-19

Leading Owners
John Parker-12
G Conley/C Conley/Terra Firma Farm-7
Rick Kessler-7

Owners Earnings
John Parker-$156,557
Peter Redekop-$128,765
Chappell Alpine Farms-$91,645
R.E.V. Racing-85,185

Betting Favorites
Last Week: 9-26 (34.6%)
Season: 148-408 (36.2%)
Largest $2 Win: $103.80 Betting On Dr Bow (June 18)
QH Favorites: 1-5

Francisco Orduna-Rojas

WEEKLY HONORS #17 (July 28-30): Valpak Jockey-Francisco Orduna-Rojas; Las Margaritas Trainer-Blaine Wright; Owner-Ten Percent Gents; Quarter Chute Café Groom-Manuel Pulido (Robbie Baze); WTBOA Washington-bred-Rockport Birdie (Mr. & Mrs. Elwin Gibson breeder); Exercise Rider of the Week-Art Ruiz (Manny Ortiz).

Karula

FINISH LINES: Jockey Juan Gutierrez, out for the season with a back ailment, celebrates his 48th birthday Sunday. . .Gallyn Mitchell, who celebrates his 55th birthday in two weeks, is 8-for-50 this year riding Thoroughbreds at Los Alamitos. . .Seattle native Danny Sorenson has resumed riding after a six-year absence and has 15 wins at Lone Star Park near Dallas. . .2016 Angie C Stakes winner Karula makes her third career start in a $36,000 allowance race Saturday at Delaware Park. Owned and bred by Oak Crest Farm (Jack Hodge), Karula is the 7-to-2 third choice on the morning line. . .Martin Riggs, first foal out of 2013 Washington Horse of the Year E Z Kitty, debuted with a third in a $60,000 maiden special weight on turf Wednesday at Del Mar. . .Emerald Distaff nominee Princess Katie is entered in Monday’s $50,000 Pacific Customs Brokers Distaff Handicap at Hastings Racecourse. . . 2016 Washington Oaks runner-up Brookys Star runs in the $50,000 Luther Burbank Handicap on the turf at Santa Rosa. . .Perfect Come Back, fourth to Aqua Frio and Riser in the Seattle Slew Stakes, runs in Sunday’s $50,000 Robert Dupret Handicap on turf at Santa Rosa.