Fire Escape and Juan Gutierrez combine for victory

FIRE ESCAPE ALL THE WAY IN FRIDAY FEATURE

AUBURN, Wash. (July 1, 2022) – Fire Escape turned away all challengers and raced to a one-length victory in Friday’s $25,000 Muckleshoot Casino Purse for 3-year-old fillies at Emerald Downs.

With Juan Gutierrez riding his third of four winners on the card, Fire Escape zipped 5 ½ furlongs in 1:03.70 and paid $4 as the public betting choice. Blaine Wright is the winning trainer for owners Finger Gun Racing #2.

Breaking from the outside post in a field of five, Fire Escape set fractions of :21.62 and :44.79, opened a two-length lead into the stretch and held off Cielo Diamante and stable mate Tam Tricky for the victory.

A California-bred by Straight Fire-Luckfromabove, Fire Escape earned $13,750 to increase her career total to $32,553. She has a 2-1-1 record from five starts overall.

Cielo Diamante, 5 to 2 second choice ridden by Javier Matias, unleashed a strong rail rally but settled for second, while Tam Tricky, ridden by Kevin Orozco, finished third.

Enchanting Way and Violent Move rounded out the order of finish, while Awesome Daze was a late scratch.

NOTES: Total mutuel handle was $944,433 on a seven-race card. . .In addition to Fire Escape, Gutierrez won aboard Stanley Ryder ($8.20), Sweet Katie O ($5.40), and Silent Declaration ($5.60). . .Kevin Radke rode two winners Friday. . .After 18 days of racing, Alex Cruz leads with 31 wins, followed by Radke with 29, and Gutierrez with 25. . .In the trainers’ race, Wright and Jorge Rosales are tied for first with 12 wins apiece. . .Straight Luck, full younger brother of Fire Escape, won a $33,000 maiden special weight for 2-year-olds last week at Lone Star Park. . .8-year-old Washington-bred Mixo ($3.80) scored his second win of the meeting, wearing down Cody’s Choice under Radke for trainer Shelly Crowe and Mischief Club 4. . .The $0.20 Jackpot Pick Six Carryover is $35,687. . .Live racing continues Saturday at 2:15 p.m.
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