Lutes Lil Gift and jockey Kevin Radke

LUTES LIL GIFT ALL THE WAY IN SATURDAY FEATURE RACE

AUBURN, Wash. (Aug. 20, 2022) – Lutes Lil Gift opened a long early lead and held off Camden High late for a 1 ½-length victory in Saturday’s $15,000 Muckleshoot Casino Purse for older fillies and mares at Emerald Downs.

With Kevin Radke riding his third straight winner on the card, Lutes Lil Gift zipped six furlongs in 1:10.55 and paid $4.40, $3, and $2.60 as the public betting choice. Rosie Simkins saddled the winner for Horse Haven Creek Farm, Barking Dogs, or Breezinbyou.

Gunned to the lead from the No. 1 post, Lutes Lil Gift set fractions of :21.80, :44.93, and :57.33, shook off Tam Tricky into the lane, and held sway to the wire.

A gray 4-year-old Washington-bred by Lutes Guft, the steady Lutes Lil Gift has a win, a second and two thirds in four starts at the meet. Her overall mark is 2-1-2 from seven starts with $21,917 in earnings including $8,250 for Saturday’s victory.

Camden High, a 12 to 1 shot ridden by Eddie Martinez, flew late to snatch second and paid $9.40 and $6.40.

La Popis, a 25 to 1 shot ridden by Javier Matias, rallied from last to finish third, and paid $11 to show. Rodeo Rose, Tam Tricky, Moscow lady, Clubhouse Wave, and N P Forty rounded out the order of finish.

NOTES: Total mutuel handle was $1,398,832 on an eight-race card. . .Lil Squirt, dam of Lutes Lil Gift, was 4-2-1 in 10 starts at Emerald Downs. . .Kevin Radke rode three winners and trails Alex Cruz 71-61 in the jockeys’ race. . .Owner/trainer Larry Ramnarine scored his first win of the season with Blessed Brother ($7.40) rallying from last for the victory in race one. . .Trainer Johnathon Feron notched his first career Emerald Downs victory, saddling Trinni Valantine to a $24.20 upset in the eighth race finale. . .Live racing continues Sunday with first post 2:15 p.m., featuring nine Thoroughbred races and two T-Rex races.

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