Trainer Blaine Wright (left) after career win 1,000

MUNNINGS TALE GIVES TRAINER WRIGHT MILESTONE

AUBURN, Wash. (July 7, 2023) – Munnings Tale led all the way and scored a 4 ¾ length victory over Camden High in Friday’s Muckleshoot Casino Purse for older fillies and mares at Emerald Downs. The victory gave Blaine Wright his 1,000th career training win.

“I want to say thank you to everyone who helped me in getting (to 1,000), mainly the owners,” Wright said to Joe Withee in the Emerald Downs’ winner’s circle. “I’m very happy to do it at home.”

Born in Renton and a resident of Enumclaw, Wright operates successful stables in Washington and California, where he recorded career win 999 earlier in the day at Pleasanton. The 48-year-old trainer ranks No. 6 in all-time Emerald Downs wins with 451 and No. 3 in stakes wins with 53. His father, Richard Wright, was also a successful longtime trainer and jockey in the Northwest.

Under a hustling ride from Alexis Valdes, Munnings Tale covered one mile in 1:37.23 and paid $16.40 to his scattered backers in the crowd. A 5-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Munnings, Munnings Tale is owned and bred by Dr. Rodney Orr of Silverton, Ore.

Wright is right back at it Saturday with three runners at Emerald Downs, four at Pleasanton, and Prince Abu Dhabi in the $125,000 Los Alamitos Derby at Los Alamitos.

NOTES: Total mutuel handle was $840,717 on a seven-race card. . .Trainer Jaymie Pearman Cruz saddled her first Emerald Downs winner, Cielo Diamante ($7.40) in Friday’s third race, with husband Alex Cruz handling the riding assignment. . .Trainer Kimberly Johnston notched her first win of the meet with Super Creative ($16.60) scoring under Alex Anaya in the seventh race finale. . .The $0.20 Jackpot Pick 6 carryover is $10,395. . .Live racing continues Saturday with first post 5 p.m.
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