Ropers N Wranglers and jockey Allyssa Morales

ROPERS N WRANGLERS PREVAILS IN FRIDAY FEATURE

AUBURN, Wash. (July 19, 2024) – Ropers N Wranglers out-finished Secret Hottie and scored a mammoth upset in Friday’s $17,000 Kona Brewing Purse for older fillies and mares at Emerald Downs.

Ridden by Allyssa Morales, the winner covered 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.46 and prevailed by three-quarters of a length to produce a $40.32 win mutuel. Kimberly Johnston is the winning trainer for owner Richard Rennie of Boise, ID.

Breaking from the outside post of a seven-horse field, Ropers N Wranglers chased Secret Hottie through fractions of :22.61, and :44.75 for the quarter and half-mile, moved up to challenge in mid-stretch and earned the victory in a strong drive.

A 5-year-old New York-bred by Freud, Ropers N Wranglers had shown some previous class, including a second in the 2022 Seattle Stakes, but had struggled to win races with Friday’s triumph upping her career mark to 2-5-3 from 27 starts and earnings of $91,352.

Secret Hottie, 7 to 2 third choice ridden by Juan Gutierrez, held second by a half-length and Yoga, 2 to 1 favorite ridden by Karlo Lopez, rallied to finish third. Rounding out the order of finish were Pop Chart, Simply Gracious, Bucchera, and Unbridled Violet. Champ of Pagne was scratched.

NOTES: Friday’s handle totaled $762,375 on a seven-race card. . .Kevin Krigger and Justin Evans swept races four and five with Validate ($10.06) and Holy Tutta Bella ($5.02) and are 14 for 37 combined at the meet. . .Alex Cruz and Joe Toye swept the early double with Fun City ($2.78) and Prime Example both leading gate to wire. . .The $0.50 Pick Six carryover is $3,978.40. . .Del Mar opens its 31-day meet Saturday with an 11-race card at 2 p.m. . .Live racing continues Saturday with two divisions of the Hollywood Harbor Sprint Series for 3-year-olds and up at 5 ½ furlongs. First post 1:30 p.m.

–##–