Cross Creek and Leonel Camacho-Flores

CROSS CREEK POWERS HOME IN FRIDAY FEATURE RACE

AUBURN, Wash. (August 31, 2018) – Cross Creek took command into the stretch and drew clear for a 2 ¼ length victory over Freedom Hill in Friday’s $15,600 Way Scarff Ford Purse for 3-year-olds and up.

Ridden by Leonel Camacho-Flores, Cross Creek covered 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.20 and paid $15, $5.40 and $2.80. Doris Harwood is the winning trainer for owner/breeder Shady Valley Ranch.

For Cross Creek, the victory was a just reward for what had been a consistent but winless 2018 season. Prior to Friday, the big gelding had compiled four seconds and a third in seven starts this season, including sharp seconds to Royal Privacy and Pulpits Power in his two most recent outs.

A 5-year-old Washington-bred by Parker’s Storm Cat, Cross Creek has a life mark of 3-8-4 in 24 starts with earnings of $63,793.

Freedom Hill, the 6 to 5 favorite ridden by Kevin Orozco, rallied from last to take second and paid $2.80 and $2.10, while Blame It On Royce, with Julien Couton riding, held third and paid $2.20. Trill Point and So Lucky completed the order of finish.

Gary Wales

NOTES: Cross Creek and Freedom Hill were both claimed for $20,000 Friday night, the former going to trainer Frank Lucarelli and owner Chad Christensen and the latter to trainer Manny Ortiz and owner Tim Bankers. . .Harwood, recently elected to the Washington Racing Hall of Fame, is No. 5 all time in Emerald Downs’ wins with 542, and No. 1 in stakes wins with 67. . .Camano Comet ($3.80) rolled to an easy victory in race six to give owner John Parker his 13th win of the season, one behind Saratoga West in the owners’ standings. . . Five of Friday’s seven winners paid double digits, including two ridden by Gary Wales (Omache Kid, $11; Christa Slew, $12). . .Live racing continues Saturday with an eight-race card at 5 p.m.