CLASSY MIKE MAN’S GOLD BAGS ANOTHER VICTORY
Mike Man’s Gold took the early lead and made short work of Friday’s $13,600 Bet America Purse for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs. Ridden by Rocco Bowen, the veteran gelding cruised to an 11 ½-length victory, running 6 ½ furlongs in a brisk 1:14.64.
Trained by Jeff Metz for owners Kelly Dougan and Brett Brophy, Mike Man’s Gold paid $4.60, $2.40 and $2.10. Claimed for $10,000 on April 24, Mike Man’s Gold produced a quick profit for his connections. Friday, the 6-year-old gelding was claimed for $15,000 by trainer Joe Toye and owner Chuck Conley, which combined with the $7,480 winner’s share means a $12,480 profit for Dougan and Brophy.
Hustled to the lead from the No. 1 post-post, Mike Man’s Gold set fractions of :21.88, :44.20 and 1:08.27, opening a five-length lead into the lane, and widened the gap in the final furlong.
Mister Breeze, with Jake Barton riding, chased the winner from flag-fall to finish, finally settling for second place and payoffs of $2.80 and $2.10. Wups, ridden by Ronald Richard, finished third and paid $2.10.
Ready Set Jet and Betsy’s Gold completed the order of finish; Christmas Caballo, Wine At Nine and Hope’n for a Storm were scratched earlier in the day.
A Washington-bred by Liberty Gold-Chedoodle, Mike Man’s Gold is 10-4-4 in 30 career starts—including four stakes wins—and has earnings of $219,559.
NOTES: Rocco Bowen rode three winners and tied Leslie Mawing atop the jockeys’ standings at 17 wins apiece. . .Ronald Richard rode two winners, including the first race aboard B B’s Quick Action ($7.60). In fact six of Richard’s 12 wins have come in the first race. . .Portray Ur Vision ($21.60) in race seven was the lone double-digit winner, triggering a $2,998 payoff for two winning tickets in the $0.20 Pick 7. . .A season-high six horses were claimed on the seven-race card. . .Washington-bred Ninelives ($8.20)—younger brother of Mach One Rules—cruised to an easy debut victory in Friday’s second race at Santa Anita. A 2-year-old colt by Sixthirteen-Felice the Cat, Ninelives sold for $50,000 at the 2015 WTBOA Summer Yearling & Mixed Sale. . .Mach One Rules (4-4-0-0-$93,826) makes his 2016 debut Sunday as 2-1 morning line favorite in the $50,000 Auburn Stakes for 3-year-old colts & geldings at 6 ½ furlongs. . .Live racing continues Saturday with a nine-race card at 2 p.m.
