Arma d’Oro (right) defeats Slew’s Tiz Whiz
ARMA d’ORO PREVAILS IN SATURDAY FEATURE RACE
AUBURN, Wash. (Aug. 31, 2024) – Arma d’Oro held off heavily-favored Slew’s Tiz Whiz and scored a two-length victory in Saturday’s $27,000 Kona Brewing Purse for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs.
Perfectly ridden by Kevin Krigger, Arma d’Oro ran one mile in 1:34.35 and paid $5.04 as the second choice in the wagering. Justin Evans is the trainer and co-owner with Jeff Rakoczy of Scottsdale, Ariz.
A 6-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding, Arma d’Oro now has the two fastest miles of the meet—1:34.04 on June 6 and Saturday’s 1:34.35. In between those two races, Arma d’Oro dead heated for victory with Slew’s Tiz Whiz in the Governor’s Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs and finished fifth in the Longacres Mile won by Five Star General in 1:34.98.
Pressing the pace as El Alto Hombre set fractions of :23.39, :46.29, and 1:10.35, Arma d’Oro got the jump on Slew’s Tiz Whiz, rolling to the lead into the lane and holding off the two-time Washington Horse of the Year in the race to the wire.
By Violence, Arma d’Oro has eight wins in 35 career starts with earnings of $172,760. At Emerald Downs, his record is four for nine with $86,830 in earnings.
With the victory, Krigger and Evans are 34 for 92 combined at the meeting, a lofty win percentage of 36.9. In the owners’ standings, Evans and Rakoczy have teamed for a meet-high 15 wins.
Slew’s Tiz Whiz, ridden by Jose Zunino, raced closer to the pace than usual and made a sustained run to finish second. The 6-year-old Washington-bred has a life mark of 9-5-4 in 24 starts with earnings of $321,722 and is eligible for a title defense in the $50,000 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic on Sunday, Sept. 15.
Rounding out the order of finish in the slim field of four were El Alto Hombre and Muncey. Napoletano and Surprsinglyperfect were both scratched.
NOTES: Alex Cruz and Kevin Krigger rode two winners each on the eight-race program. . .Cruz has 18 multiple win days and leads Krigger 58-43 in his quest for a fifth straight riding title. . .The $0.50 Pick Six carryover is $4,090.13. . .First-time starter Freya’s Arrow ($9.08) prevailed in Saturday’s $24,000 maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies, with Luis Reyes riding for Charles Essex and owner Princess Dalal Al-Saud. . .Joe Toye has wins on five straight cards including Public Appearance ($14.78) first race off the claim in race four. . .Young Life Laura ($5.06) held off longshot Emerald Sea in a $25,500 allowance for fillies and mares, running 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.33 for her sixth victory in the past two seasons. . .Racing continues Sunday with first post 1:30 p.m.
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