Fantastic Day and jockey Carlos Montalvo
FANTASTIC DAY PREVAILS IN FRIDAY FEATURE RACE
AUBURN, Wash. (Aug. 9, 2024) – Fantastic Day exploded late for a three-quarter-length victory over Firewalker in Friday’s $24,500 Ken McLeod Memorial Purse at Emerald Downs.
With Carlos Montalvo handling riding duties, Fantastic Day ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.44 and paid $11.92 as fifth betting choice in a field of seven older horses. Jorge Rosales is the winning trainer for owner Alan Peterson of Eugene, Ore.
A 7-year-old Kentucky-bred by Medaglia d’Oro, Fantastic Day won for the 10th time in 40 career starts, upping his earnings to $159,938. Fantastic Day has been stellar at Emerald Downs, winning 8 of 19 starts with $109,162 in earnings and holds the Emerald Downs’ record for largest winning margin—22 ½ lengths on Aug. 5, 2020.
Over 15 lengths behind the leader on the backstretch, Fantastic Day took advantage of a fast pace set by Mister Mafioso—:21.65, :43.49—and reeled in the leaders with his powerful stretch run, collaring Mister Mafioso in the final yards.
Firewalker, longest shot on the board at 17 to 1, also rallied from far back to finish second while Mister Mafioso held third after leading to deep stretch.
Rounding out the order of finish were Dirt Road Red, Welton, A View From Above and Chuckanut Bay.
NOTES: Friday’s handle totaled $727,821 on a seven-race card. . .David Martin and Howard Belvoir clicked with another long shot as Roper ($35.24) prevailed in race three. . .Speaking of hot combos, Kevin Krigger and Justin Evans had their streak of 10 straight days of combining for at least one win halted as Elevado finished second to Pirate Red ($8.02) in race five. Krigger and Evans are 28 for 65 combined at the meet. . .Isaias Enriquez and Frank Lucarelli are another strong combination with a 13 for 51 mark including Friday wins with Pharoahs List ($3.68) and Pirate Red. . .Hey Barmaid ($10) won the finale to become the sixth horse with at least three wins at the meet. Mary Walker and Surprsinglyperfect lead the way with four wins while Taino House, Crème de Menthe, Candied Lute and Hey Barmaid have three wins apiece. . .Enriquez and Alex Cruz both doubled Friday and Cruz leads Krigger 48-35 atop the standings. . .The $0.50 Pick Six carryover is $3,174.61. . .The $0.50 Pick 5 paid $4,831.71 with Roper the KO on most tickets. . .Live racing continues Saturday with first post 2:10 p.m., preceded by the 2024 Washington Racing Hall of Fame presentation by the winner’s circle.
–##–
