Nan Elizabeth and jockey Carlos Montalvo

NAN ELIZABETH RALLIES IN FRIDAY FEATURE

AUBURN, Wash. (Aug. 2, 2024) – Nan Elizabeth produced an explosive late run, collaring Holy Tutta Bella past mid-stretch and scoring by 1 ¼ lengths in Friday’s $16,500 Pat Hutchins Memorial Purse for older fillies and mares.

Perfectly handled by jockey Carlos Montalvo, Nan Elizabeth ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.84 and paid $7.14 as the third betting choice in a field of five. Luciano Medina Gabriel is the trainer for owner Hon Cheung Kum, marking the second win of the night for the jockey/trainer/owner combination.

A four-time winner here in 2023, Nan Elizabeth was winless in three previous starts at the meet with a second and a third to her credit.

Far back early as Holy Tutta Bella and She’s So Shiny slugged it out on the front end, Nan Elizabeth gathered momentum around the turn, circled wide into the lane and reeled in Holy Tutta Bella to win going away.

A 6-year-old mare by Flat Out, Nan Eliabeth is 7 for 32 lifetime and 5 for 12 at Emerald Downs. Her career earnings are up to $112,753.

Holy Tutta Bella, the 8 to 5 favorite, won the battle but lost the war, getting the better of She’s So Shiny after a half in :45.39, but had to settle for second.

She’s So Shiny, second choice at 9 to 5, held third while Lemon Drop Lady and Smiling Thunder rounded out the order of finish. Shezarunaway was a late scratch.

Dean Mazzuca

NOTES: With regular announcer Tom Harris enjoying a scheduled weekend off, Dean Mazzuca called Friday’s races and longtime Hastings Park announcer Dan Jukich will be at the microphone Saturday and Sunday. . .Montalvo, Medina Gabriel and Cheung Kum also clicked with La Popis ($6.88) in race two. . .Isaias Enriquez and Frank Lucarelli have combined for wins on four straight cards including Polis ($16.20) for owner Darrin Paul in Friday’s third race. . .Trainer Justin Evans added two more wins and has at least one win on eight strait cards and leads Blaine Wright 41-25 in the trainers’ standings. . .Alex Cruz rode Capo Sorella ($6.86) to a victory in the Friday opener, the 45th win of the meet for the four-time defending riding champion. . .The second edition of Breakfast at the Wire runs 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at track level across from the finish line. Free admission via the paddock gate. . . .Live racing continues Saturday with Precise Timing headlining the $50,000 WTBOA Lassies Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at 6 ½ furlongs. First post 1:30 p.m.

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