Check and Raise and Juan Gutierrez

CHECK AND RAISE WINS THE POT AT EMERALD DOWNS

AUBURN, Wash. (July 5, 2019) – Check and Raise rallied from far back and collared Redrock Trail in the final strides for a two-length victory Friday in the Muckleshoot Casino Purse at Emerald Downs.

Check and Raise ran one mile in 1:36.95 and paid $5.60, $3.20 and $2.60 as second choice in the wagering. Juan Gutierrez delivered the perfectly timed ride for trainer Bob Meeking and owner W. Quinn Chin of Seattle.

A 4-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding by Bellamy Road, Check and Raise faced some toughies last year at age 3, scoring his maiden victory in special weight company and also competing in a pair of stakes including a sixth in the $50,000 Muckleshoot Derby. Check and Raise has an overall record of 2-1-3 in 14 starts with $34,282 in purse earnings.

Redrock Trail shook off Lochness into the stretch, and was three lengths clear at the eighth pole before yielding to Check and Raise in the final strides. Ridden by Eddie Martinez, Redrock Trail paid $4.20 and $3.80.

Lochness, longest shot on the board at 18-1, held third and paid $9.80 to show, and Invite Me, Johnny Five and Helaman completed the order of finish.

Gutierrez is enjoying a fine comeback season, currently tied for third with 27 wins and leads all riders with nine route wins. His 1,347 career wins at Emerald Downs put him within 73 wins of Gallyn Mitchell’s all-time track record 1,420 wins.

NOTES: Gary Wales rode three winners Friday—upping his consecutive winning days streak to 21—while stretching his lead to 48-29 over Kevin Orozco atop the riders’ standings. . . Kevin Radke owns the Emerald Downs’ record of 30 straight winning days, set April 25 to June 13, 2003. . .Wales’ win aboard Tuscan Warrior ($4.80) in the first race also was his 100th at Emerald Downs. . .Tuscan Warrior’s victory was the meet-leading 10th for owner John Parker and his 113th all-time at Emerald Downs. . . Long shots prevailed in both 2-year-old filly races—Five Element ($31.20) taking race three for trainer David Martinez and Swag Stables and Abraa Jabraa ($23.20) winning race four for Tim McCanna and Horseplayers Racing Club #308. . .Live racing continues Saturday with first post 5 p.m.
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