Daytona Beach and Jennifer Whitaker clear to the wire

DAYTONA BEACH ALL THE WAY ON SATURDAY

AUBURN, Wash. (April 28, 2018) – Daytona Beach sprinted clear early and rolled to a three-length victory Saturday in the $11,200 feature race for older sprinters at Emerald Downs.

With Jennifer Whitaker aboard, Daytona Beach ran 5 ½ furlongs in 1:03.25 and paid $7.80, $3.20 and $2.80 as second choice in the wagering. Howard Belvoir is the winning trainer and co-owner with Rhonda and Randi Ackerman.

Iron Rob rallied inside for second place and paid $5.80 and $2.80, while 24-1 long shot There’s No Doubt finished third and paid $9.80.

Mike Man’s Gold, bidding for his 18th Emerald Downs’ victory, faded in the stretch and finished fifth as the 3-5 betting favorite. The 8-year-old gelding remains tied with Olympic Lights and Buddy Dave for second place on the track’s all-time win list with 17, four behind West Seattle Boy.

Rocketing to the lead from the outside post, Daytona Beach led through fractions of :22.08, :44.83 and :56.83, opening a 3-½ length lead into the lane and holding sway to the wire.

A 6-year-old Washington-bred by Harbor the Gold-Hit a Star, Daytona Beach has a career record of 10-4-3 from 41 starts with earnings of $101,215.

Belvoir and Whitaker have won the last three feature races at Emerald Downs—Elliott Bay in the Gottstein Futurity last year on closing day and Mary Lois and Daytona Beach in the first two days of 2018.

NOTES: The track was listed wet fast for the first two races and changed to fast for the remainder of the eight-race card. . .Kevin Orozco rode three winners Saturday—Bernie ($16.80), Curious Rumor ($5.40) and Seattle Sea Gal ($4.60). . .Eswan Flores rode a pair of long shot winners—Outdidya ($18.40) and Freiburg ($24.80)—and is two wins shy of 100 at Emerald Downs. . .Freiburg, a 3-year-old gelding out of 2004 Angie C Stakes winner Judicature, rolled to a gate-to-wire victory in the $18,500 maiden special weight for 3-year-olds and up. The winner is trained by Jose Navarro for owner/breeder Ramer Holtan. . .Former jockey Frank Gonsalves celebrated his 60th birthday with family and friends Saturday at Emerald Downs. Gonsalves is No. 5 all-time with 561 wins at Emerald Downs and also rode 466 winners at Longacres. .  .Owners Tim and Sue Spooner, No. 2 all-time with 176 wins at Emerald Downs, scored a $49.20 upset at Golden Gate with Ima Happy Cat in a $26,000 maiden special weight for 3-year-old fillies. Trained by Dan Markle, the winner is a California-bred by Smiling Tiger-Infernal McGoon. . .Also at Golden Gate, Rebarules Again ($12.80) defeated 2017 Irish Day Stakes winner Top Quality in a $29,000 allowance race on turf. The winner is out of 2009 Washington Horse of the Year Reba Is Tops. . .Live racing continues Sunday with first post 2 p.m. There is a $2,512 carryover in the $0.20 Jackpot Pick 7.

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