Emerald Downs News & Notes-Thursday, August 8

MORE POWER TO HIM CONTINUES FAMILY MILE TRADITION

AUBURN, Wash. (Aug. 8) — More Power to Him will be a longshot in Sunday’s 84th running of the $200,000 Longacres Mile (G3). At 12 to 1, the 5-year-old California-bred is the co sixth choice on the morning line.

However, More Power to Him does have a few things going for him:

  • He’s razor-sharp, coming off a 1 1/2-length victory in the $50,000 Mt. Rainier Stakes last month in which he ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.62 and earned an 83 Beyer. Three of the runners he beat–El Huerfano, Oh Marvelous Me and Elliott Bay–are among the 11 horses in the Mile field.
  • The pace, led by Anyportinastorm, figures to be fast, a scenario that helps a deep closer like More Power to Him.
  • More Power to Him has fared well at Emerald Downs, compiling a 1-0-2 record in three starts here, including a pair of tries as a 3-year-old in 2017.
  • And of course there are the human connections. Kevin Orozco leads all jockeys with four stakes wins at the meet, while trainer Kay Cooper is the daughter of the old Mile master himself, Jim Penney, who saddled a record five Longacres Mile winners before his death two years ago.

More Power to Him

“It would be quite an honor to win the Longacres Mile,” Cooper said. “Not only because of my dad, but the owner’s dad is from the same era as my father.”

Brett Mason, owner/breeder of More Power to Him, is the son of renowned Northern California horseman Lloyd Mason, who retired in 2017 due to health reasons. Trained for most of his career by Faith Taylor in California, More Power to Him was shipped north last month and promptly prevailed in the Mt. Rainier, rallying from 7 1/2 lengths back to tag El Huerfano in the final strides.

A 5-year-old horse by Slew’s Tiznow, More Power to Him is the 11th winning foal and first stakes winner out of Pundit, a daughter of Beau Genius whose lone victory as a racehorse was at Delaware Park in 1998. More Power to Him is 6-6-7 in 34 lifetime starts with earnings of $323,417.

“Hopefully it sets up nicely for us,” Cooper said. “We can get out, get over, save ground and find our way through. I think he’s starting to blossom. He has a great physique and a great mind for a (full horse).”

Regardless of who wins Sunday, it’ll be the first Mile victory for the trainer. Tim McCanna (Rocky Tough) twice finished second in the Mile; Frank Lucarelli (Elliott Bay) has two seconds and a third; Blaine Wright (Anyportinastorm, Oh Marvelous Me) has a second and two thirds; Mark Glatt (Law Abidin Citizen) has a second; and Chris Stenslie (El Huerfano), John Snow (Brave Nation) and John Sadler (Curlin Rules) all have thirds in the Mile.

Cooper, of course, has been in a victorious Mile winner’s circle five times with her dad, and her husband Bryson Cooper rode Theologist to victory in the 1977 Mile.

Law Abidin Citizen

$200,000 Longacres Mile (G3) (Race 7, 5:30 p.m.)
1: Restrainedvengence, Kevin Krigger, 117 lbs, 15/1
2: Solid Wager, Juan Gutierrez, 121, 5/1
3: Oh Marvelous Me, Jorge Carreno, 118, 12/1
4: Rocky Tough, Julien Couton, 120, 8/1
5: Law Abidin Citizen, Abel Cedillo, 119, 10/1
6: Curlin Rules, Martin Pedroza, 116, 6/1
7: Brave Nation, Gary Wales, 115, 20/1
8: Anyportinastorm, Juan Hernandez, 124, 8/5
9: More Power to Him, Kevin Orozco, 121, 12/1
10: Elliott Bay, Javier Matias, 115, 30/1
11: El Huerfano, Agapito Delgadillo, 121, 8/1

In other Longacres Mile developments:

  • Curlin Rules and Law Abidin Citizen are scheduled to arrive via air charter early Friday and will be stabled with trainers Mike Puhich and Patty Lydon at Emerald Downs. Restrainedvengence arrived by van Thursday and is stabled with Kay Cooper, and Midwest shipper Solid Wager also arrived and is with trainer Bob Meeking.
  • Longacres Mile winners Wasserman (2008) and Noosa Beach will parade on the track following Sunday’s second race.
  • In addition to Sunday’s $0.50 Championship Sunday All Stakes Pick Four (Races 4-7), Sunday’s $0.50 NYRA Cross Country Pick 5 includes the Longacres Mile and Emerald Distaff.

Mucho Amor

PLENTY OF PACE IN $50,000 WASHINGTON OAKS

Mucho Amor, two necks away from a perfect season, is the 7 to 5 morning line favorite in the $50,000 Washington Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles. Owned by Ten Broeck Farm, trained by Blaine Wright and ridden by Juan Hernandez, Mucho Amor began the season with a six-length blowout in the Seattle Stakes at six furlongs, followed by narrow misses vs. Alittlelesstalk in the Kent Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs and Twirling Devon in the Irish Day Stakes at 1 1/16 miles.

Mucho Amor is clearly the horse to beat, although Killarney Lass could pose a serious pace challenge in the Oaks. An Eskenderaya filly owned by Dan Sargent, trained by Frank Lucarelli and ridden by Kevin Orozco, Killarney Lass comes off an 18 1/4-length allowance victory in which she ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:14.47 and earned an 83 Beyer. It could make for an interesting opening half-mile between two fast, quality fillies. Emerald Downs’ stakes winners Twirling Devon and Northwest Factor will be waiting in the wings, should they falter.

In last year’s Oaks, Princessof the Nyl rallied from last for an eight-length victory, after Ca Dreamer and Ima Happy Cat blazed through fractions of :22.11, :45.02 and 1:09.76.

The Washington Oaks had been among the track’s most formful stakes, producing six odds-on winners in 10 years, before Little Dancer prevailed at 12 to 1 in 2017 and Princessof the Nyl at 7/2 last year.

$50,000 Washington Oaks, 1 1/8 Miles (Race 4, 3:29 p.m.)
1: Killarney Lass, Javier Matias, 121, 2/1
2: Two Shakes, Abel Cedillo, 121, 8/1
3: Suddenly Awesome, Kevin Krigger, 121, 20/1
4: Northwest Factor, Julien Couton, 121, 8/1
5: Mucho Amor, Juan Hernandez, 121, 7/5
6: Twirling Devon, Kevin Orozco, 121, 3/1

Alittlelesstalk

ALITTLELESSTALK FACES MALES IN $50,000 MUCKLESHOOT DERBY

Instead of facing fillies in the $50,000 Washington Oaks, Alittlelesstalk will face colts in the $50,000 Muckleshoot Derby on Championship Sunday.

Since both races are 1 1/8 miles, conventional wisdom would have meant keeping the Demon Warlock filly racing with her own sex, but co-owner and breeder Tim Floyd said several factor contributed to the decision to face males.

“As  a handicapper, I am never usually a fan of running fillies against boys but this year we feel that the filly division might be better than the boys,” Floyd said. “In the last two stakes races for the 3-year-old division, the fillies went faster. Alittlelesstalk won the Kent Stakes in stakes record time and was faster than Baja Sur (in the Coca-Cola Stakes). And in the first route, the fillies were significantly faster.”

That’s true. On the same day that Perfect Dude won the 1 1/16-mile Seattle Slew Stakes for colts in 1:43.19 for 1 1/16 miles, Twirling Devon captured the Irish Day in 1:41.81. Alittlelesstalk did well to finish fifth in the latter, racing extremely wide throughout the race.

“Other factors in our decision making process was the pace,” Floyd said. “The Oaks looks to be lighting fast with Killarney Lass and Mucho Amor both in the race. And finally, I believe history can repeat itself with the family of jockeys from the Stevens family. Scott’s brother, Gary, won the Kentucky Derby in 1988 taking on the boys with Winning Colors. Plus, the five pound weight allowance going 1 1/8 miles also was a factor for us.”

Scott Stevens, who rides Alittlelesstalk for the first time Sunday, is 3 for 8 this season at Emerald Downs including a victory on No Talking Back in the Boeing Stakes.

Rally Cat, beaten a neck by stable mate Perfect Dude in the Seattle Slew, is the 7 to 5 morning line favorite for trainer Blaine Wright, jockey Juan Hernandez and owner Fleuer De Lis Stable. Champagneandcaviar, dam of Rally Cat, won the 2012 Washington Oaks for Fleur De Lis Stables (Ray Kwik and Paul Goldberg).

$50,000 Muckleshoot Derby, 1 1/8 Miles (Race 5, 4:07 p.m.)
1: Rally Cat, Juan Hernandez, 123, 7/5
2: Alittlelesstalk (f), Scott Stevens, 118, 7/2
3: Sky Confidential, Javier Matias, 123, 3/1
4: El Borracho, Julien Couton, 123, 10/1
5: Time ‘N Time Again, Kevin Orozco, 123, 12/1
6: My Grandpa, Jorge Carreno, 123, 6/1
7: Todo Es Toro, Jose Leon, 123, 20/1

No Talking Back (l) edges Paddy’s Secret in Boeing Stakes

$50,000 EMERALD DISTAFF TO DECIDE DIVISION TITLE

Handicappers playing the $0.50 Championship Sunday All Stakes Pick Four are presented a puzzle with the $50,000 Emerald Distaff for older fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles.

The consistent Bella Mia is the 5 to 2 morning line favorite, followed by No Talking Back at 7/2, Paddy’s Secret at 9/2 and Diamonds R at 5 to 1.

To date, the older filly and mare division has produced three different winners in as many races–Ima Happy Cat, Best of Me and No Talking Back–with only Boeing Stakes winner No Talking Back showing up for the Distaff. Sunday’s nine-horse field includes no less than six Emerald Downs’ stakes winners–Bella Mia, Blazinbeauty, Diamonds R, Fly Far Away, No Talking Back and defending Emerald Distaff champion Reginella.

The top five finishers from the 1 1/16 mile Boeing Stakes are all in the Distaff field–No Talking Back prevailed by three-quarters of a length over Paddy’s Secret, while fast-finishing Blazinbeauty was a neck back in third. Bella Mia, the 3 to 2 betting favorite, weakened slightly to fourth while Reginella finished fifth.

Bella Mia has been the steadiest performer this season, finishing second in the Hastings Stakes and Washington State Legislators Stakes and fourth in the Boeing Stakes. In her lone try at 1 1/8 miles she finished third in the 2018 Washington Oaks.

In last year’s Distaff, Reginella overhauled Grace Bay three furlongs out and cruised home under Juan Hernandez in 1:48.68. It marked the 23rd straight year the Distaff winner was either first or second with a furlong to run.

$50,000 Emerald Distaff, 1 1/8 Miles (Race 6, 4:42 p.m.)
1: Bella Mia, Kevin Orozco, 118, 5/2
2: No Talking Back, Scott Stevens, 119, 7/2
3: Diamonds R, Heribert Martinez, 118, 5/1
4: Reginella, Juan Hernandez, 117, 8/1
5: Angelofmontgomery, Abel Cedillo, 112, 20/1
6: Fly Far Away, Jorge Carreno, 117, 15/1
7: Blazinbeauty, Javier Matias, 117, 6/1
8: Paddy’s Secret, Gary Wales, 118, 9/2
9: Guardian One, Kevin Krigger, 116, 15/1

2019 Stakes @ Emerald Downs
Stakes: 14 Total Horses 119 Average Field Size 8.5
Average $2 Win: $11.60
Favorite: 7 for 14
2nd Favorite: 1 for 14
Largest $2 Win: $32.60, Twirling Devon (Irish Day Stakes)
Smallest $2 Win: $2.40, Anyportinastorm (Governor’s Stakes)
Winner Bred: Washington 7, Florida 3, California 2, Kentucky 2
Winning Sire: Smiling Tiger 3, City Zip 2, Abraaj 1, Coast Guard 1, Demon Warlock 1, Flatter 1,  Majesticperfection 1, Mucho Macho Man 1, Slew’s Tiznow 1, Super Saver 1, Twirling Candy 1
Trainer Wins: Blaine Wright 7, Roddina Barrett 1, Howard Belvoir 1, Frank Lucarelli 1, Dan Markle 1, Manny Ortiz 1, Chris Stenslie 1, Faith Taylor 1
Jockey Wins: Kevin Orozco 4, Franklin Ceballos 3, Juan Hernandez 3, Lorenzo Lopez 1, Scott Stevens 1, Gary Wales 1, Jennifer Whitaker 1

RACING THIS WEEK

Friday, August 9 (47/67)
6:30 p.m. (7 races)
Fab Friday
Leg 1: Distance Series for Fillies & Mares

Saturday, August 10 (48/67)
5 p.m. (8 races)
Breakfast at the Wire-special guests Blaine Wright, Matt Dinerman (8-10 a.m.)
Run The Mile (10:30 a.m.)
Leg 1: Distance Series for Older Horses
Jockey Appreciation Night

Sunday, August 11 (48/67)
2 p.m. (10 races)
Championship Sunday
$200,000 Longacres Mile (G3)
$50,000 Emerald Distaff
$50,000 Muckleshoot Derby
$50,000 Washington Oaks
Railbird Rally (11 a.m.–1p.m.)

BEYERS & FAST TIMES

Buckley Bay

Friday, August 2
Race 1: I Double Dare You-50
Race 2: Tap That Spot-48+
Race 3: Judicial-63
Race 4: Helaman-51*
Race 5: Sway Road-55*
Race 6: Buckley Bay-73
Race 7: Lew’s Skyhook-39

Sari’s Tiger

Saturday, August 3
Race 1: Desert Black-60
Race 2: Roamin Effort-68*
Race 3: Pebble Beach-38
Race 4: Avenatti-52*
Race 5: Hammy Time-48
Race 6: Bullet Drill-68*
Race 7: Sari’s Tiger-42
Race 8: Guided by Angels-29

Hit the Beach

Sunday, August 4
Race 1: Cm Boom Shakalaka-qh
Race 2: Love to Reason Br-qh
Race 3: Magical Spell-59
Race 4: Camano Comet-56
Race 5: Munny-50+
Race 6: Benny the Jet-70*
Race 7: Melchior-60
Race 8: Hit the Beach-75
Race 9: Assets Included-71*
* 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 1:35.48 Calex (7g) June 2
1 1/16 Mile 1:41.81 Twirling Devon (3f) July 14

Betting Favorites
Last Week: 14-24 (58.3%)
Season: 155-375 (41.3%)
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*
71-Gary Wales
50-Kevin Orozco
37-Javier Matias
35-Juan Gutierrez
34-Heribert Martinez
28-Franklin Ceballos
23-Ryan Barber
20-Jose Zunino
17-Lorenzo Lopez
17-Jorge Carreno
8-Jennifer Whitaker
8-Patrick Henry Jr.
7-Jose Leon
6-Kevin Krigger
3-Alex Anaya
3-Juan Hernandez
3-Scott Stevens
2-Francisco Diaz-Lopez
*Thoroughbred only

Javier Matias

Jockey Earnings
$643,475-Gary Wales
$597,823-Kevin Orozco
$422,859-Eddie Martinez
$383,921-Juan Gutierrez
$379,536-Javier Matias
$350,809-Franklin Ceballos
$264,744-Jose Zunino
$261,822-Jorge Carreno
$221,878-Ryan Barber
$212,153-Lorenzo Lopez

Frank Lucarelli

Trainer Wins
51-Frank Lucarelli
30-Blaine Wright
18-Jorge Rosales
16-Vince Gibson
16-Alan Bozell
14-Candi Cryderman
13-Pablo De Jesus
12-Charles Essex
11-Howard Belvoir
11-Chris Stenslie
10-Kay Cooper
10-Joe Toye
9-Steve Bullock
8-Manny Ortiz
7-Tom Wenzel
7-David Martinez
7-Sharon Ross
7-Terry Gillihan
6-Mike Puhich
5-Valentin P. Garcia
5-Howie Gibson
5-Bob Meeking
5-Jose Navarro
5-Bill Tollett
5-Paul Treasure
4-Arturo Arboleda
4-Robbie Baze
4-Roddina Barrett
4-Bonnie Jenne
4-Patty Lydon
4-Linda Northam
4-Edwin Cornier

Blaine Wright

Trainer Earnings
$560,760-Blaine Wright
$465,271-Frank Lucarelli
$182,865-Howard Belvoir
$170,555-Chris Stenslie
$150,477-Vince Gibson
$146,093-Candi Cryderman
$144,133-Tom Wenzel
$139,763-Kay Cooper
$133,518-Alan Bozell
$128,880-Jorge Rosales

 

Chad Christensen

Owner Wins
17-Chad Christensen
13-John Parker
7-One Horse Will Do Corp. & Chris Stenslie
7-Todd & Shawn Hansen
6-Tim Bankers
6-Peter Redekop BC Ltd.
6-Wanda Munger Racing Stables
5-Marjorie Avery
5-Greg Conley, Chuck Conley or Terra Firma Farm
5-Hopper’s Racing Stable
4-Howard Belvoir
4-Gary and Debbie Lusk
4-Darrin Paul
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
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-Rosales Racing F1 and Rick Southall
3-Elwin Gibson or Arturo Arboleda
3-Bony Barn
3-Billy Speed Racing Stable
3-Woodway Stable

Billy Greenstein

Owner Earnings
$164,025-Todd & Shawn Hansen
$143,958-Chad Christensen
$123,538-John Parker
$106,720-Tim Bankers
$100,460-Peter Redekop BC Ltd.
$83,236-One Horse Will Do Corp. & Chris Stenslie
$71,522-John & Janene Maryanski and Riverbend Farm
$66,298-Howard Belvoir
$49,075-Warlock Stables, Kelly Dougan and Ya Killing Me LLC
$47,662-Billy Speed Racing Stable
$44,995-Ron Crockett Inc
$44,700-Ten Broeck Farm

Emily’s Gold

Horse Wins
4-He’s Not Grey
3-All Star Allie
3-Brahms Forest
3-Das Bear
3-Dizzy Diva
3-Flatter Cat
3-Foggia
3-General Mach Four
3-Mystical Image
3-Roamin Effort
3-Rosso’s Gatto
3-Stay in Grace
3-Tesla
2-Alittlelesstalk*
2-Anyportinastorm**
2-Assets Included
2-Athleisure
2-Baja Sur**
2-Beau Rocket
2-Best of Me*
2-Buckley Bay
2-Bullet Express
2-Calex
2-Candorosa
2-Cate’s Gold
2-Cherokee Louise
2-Chief Osceola
2-Classic Leah
2-Come On Miranda
2-Cook Up a Storm
2-Cross Creek
2-Deputy’s Command
2-Devil Dog
2-Early Morn
2-Emily’s Gold
2-E Z Star Maker
2-Fancy Cookie
2-Freiburg
2-Hejustkeepsgiving
2-Helaman
2-Hold That Smile
2-Irish Swing
2-Jupiter S.
2-Lasting Light
2-La Waun
2-Melchior
2-Mike Man’s Bro
2-Mike Man’s Gold
2-Miner Heat
2-Mister Breeze
2-No Harbor in Sight
2-Party for One
2-Perfect Dude*
2-Perfect Blossom
2-Pure Pursuit
2-Romeoinbluejeans
2-Rosies Baby
2-Rough and Ready
2-Scout Patrol
2-Sky Confidential
2-Smoothee Lee
2-Sunshine Emily
2-Sway Road
2-Twirling Cinnamon
2-Wild Wilko
2-Zanab
2-Ziggy Car Dust
*Stakes Win

Grinder Sparksaglo

Horse Earnings
$52,800-Anyportinastorm
$52,800-Baja Sur
$49,075-Alittlelesstalk
$48,225-Perfect Dude
$43,700-Mucho Amor
$41,675-Best of Me
$31,512-No Talking Back
$29,475-Oh Marvelous Me
$29,075-Grinder Sparksaglo
$28,911-For You Only
$27,850-He’s Not Grey
$27,800-Twirling Devon

Harbor the Gold

2019 Leading Sires
17-Harbor the Gold
12-Atta Boy Roy
12-Coast Guard
10-Smiling Tiger
8-Liberty Gold
8-Parker’s Storm Cat
7-Abraaj
7-Sixthirteen
6-Champ Pegasus
6-Nacheezmo
6-Nationhood
6-Papa Clem
6-Slew’s Tiznow

Scott Freeman

WEEKLY HONORS #16 (Aug. 2-4): Valpak Jockey: Kevin Krigger; Muckleshoot Casino Trainer: Scott Freeman; EmD Owner: H.R. Mullens, Richard Larson & Ed Zenker; Quarter Chute Café Groom: Roman Davilla; WTBOA WA Bred: Buckley Bay (Ron Crockett and Mr. & Mrs. William T. Griffin breeders); Exercise Rider: Jayden Christopherson.

Bowen Bobbleheads!

NOTES: Frank Lucarelli begins the week five wins shy of becoming the first trainer with 1,000 wins at Emerald Downs. . .The Horsemen Helping Horsemen Distance Series is off to a rousing start. Saturday’s first leg at 1 1/8 miles drew 18 entrants divided into two divisions, each running for $13,062 in purse money. And Friday’s first leg of the Filly & Mare Distance Series drew a field of eight, racing 1 1/8 miles for $17,325. In both series all horses are racing for $5,000 claiming prices and must participate in the first leg to advance. . .Betting favorites went 14 for 25 last week—8 for 9 on Sunday—and are winning at a season-high 41.3 percent. . .Rocco Bowen Bobblehead Night is Saturday, August 17, honoring the only jockey to win three consecutive riding titles in track history.