Guardian One
GUARDIAN ONE PREVAILS IN MUCKLESHOOT CASINO PURSE
AUBURN, Wash. (June 22, 2018) – Guardian One turned back Hold That Smile in the stretch and scored a 2 3/4-length victory Friday in the $15,200 Muckleshoot Casino Purse for fillies and mares at Emerald Downs.
With Gary Wales aboard for his second win Friday, Guardian One covered six furlongs in 1:11.25 on a fast track and paid $10, $4 and $3.20. Chris Stenslie is the winning trainer for owners Tony and Brenna Loften.
Breaking alertly from the No. 6 post-position, Guardian One set fractions of :22.54 and :45.38, relinquished command to Hold That Smile into the stretch, but fought back inside to win going away.
A 5-year-old Washington-bred by Coast Guard-In Suzanne’s Honor, Guardian One has been a steady performer at Emerald Downs, compiling two wins a second and a third in four starts this season. Her overall record is 4-7-2 from 19 starts with earnings of $45,368.
Hold That Smile, ridden by Austin Solis, held second and paid $6 and $3.60. It was a fine comeback effort by the 3-year-old filly, facing older horses while making her first start since December 30.
Colleen’s Diamond, the 5/2 betting favorite ridden by Rocco Bowen, finished third and paid $3.40, while Parkers Delight, Targa, Dreamer S. and Pre Mo Diamond rounded out the order of finish.
Gary Wales
NOTES: Wales was the only rider with two wins Friday while Bowen and Julien Couton each rode a winner. Bowen leads the standings with 40 wins and Couton tied Kevin Orozco for second at 26 wins apiece. . .Jeff Metz tops the trainers’ standings with 23 wins including a victory by Gio Star ($9.40) in the seventh race finale. . .Santa Anita concludes its marathon winter/spring meet this weekend with a combined 23 races—12 Saturday and 11 Sunday—with first post 12:30 p.m. both days. Action then shifts to Los Alamitos for three weeks before Del Mar opening day on Thursday, July 19. . . Emerald Downs’ Live racing continues Saturday with first post 5 p.m. on Dollar Night. The eight-race program includes a $3,944 carryover in the $0.20 Pick 7.
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