Mike Man’s Gold
MIKE MAN’S GOLD KEEPS RIGHT ON WINNING
AUBURN, Wash. (July 21, 2018) – Mike Man’s Gold appears to be serious about becoming the all-time wins leader at Emerald Downs.
Showing no signs of slowing down, the 8-year-old gelding made it two straight wins and 19 all-time at Emerald Downs, rallying from slightly off the pace for a 1 ¼-length victory over Sorryaboutnothing in the $15,600 SVEDKA Vodka Purse for 3-year-olds and up.
With the victory, Mike Man’s Gold now has 19 career wins at Emerald Downs and is within two wins of West Seattle Boy on the track’s all-time list. West Seattle Boy retired in 2013 with 21 Emerald Downs’ victories.
Ridden by Rocco Bowen, Mike Man’s Gold ran one mile in 1:36.70 and paid $3, $2.20 and $2.10. Joe Toye is the trainer and co-owner with Greg Conley and Chuck Conley.
A Washington-bred by Liberty Gold-Chedoodle, Mike Man’s Gold has an overall record of 19-5-7 in 52 starts and earnings of $312,207. At Emerald Downs, his record is 19-4-6 in 44 starts with earnings of $291,481.
“He seems to be getting better with age,” said Bowen, the jockey in Mike Man’s Gold’s last nine wins. “He’s just a pleasure to ride.”
Mike Man’s Gold debuted with a victory on July 7, 2012, and has at least one win in each of the last seven seasons, including four stakes victories. He also ranks No. 15 all-time in Emerald Downs’ earnings, and No. 64 all-time in Washington earnings.
In his latest victory, Mike Man’s Gold stalked Trill Point through fractions of :23.03, :46.24 and 1:10.52, took command into the stretch and held off a late charge by Sorryaboutnothing for the victory, his fourth at the mile distance.
Sorryaboutnothing, second choice in the wagering at 3-1, lagged far back early, angled out into the stretch and nailed Trill Point for second place. Ridden by Jose Zunino, Sorryaboutnothing paid $3 and $2.10.
Trill Point, Gary Wales up, held third, followed by The Press, Most Determined and Gravel. Alley Boss was scratched.
Levitation
NOTES: Levitation ($15) used a ground-saving Bowen ride to edge Kota Copy in the $11,200 John Parker Racing Purse for 3-year-olds and up. Wine At Nine, 2017 Top Claimer at Emerald Downs, finished fourth. . .Bowen rode three winners—the ninth time he has had at least three wins in a day this season—and boosted his season total to 68 wins. . .Gary Wales and Eswan Flores rode two winners apiece, and Toye led the trainers with two wins. . .Profound Legacy, a 2-year-old Proud Citizen filly that debuted here with a romping victory last month, rolled by 4-½ lengths in a $43,000 allowance race Saturday at Ellis Park. Now trained by Ian Wilkes, Profound Legacy is co-owned by Mark Dedomenico, Mike Waters, Turf Stable Racing and Six Columns Stables. . . .Peter Redekop’s Alliford Bay ($2.80) defended her title with a three-length victory in the $50,000 California Cup Governor’s Handicap for fillies and mares at Sacramento. The 4-year-old City Zip filly now has five career stakes wins for trainer Blaine Wright, including the $50,000 Washington State Legislators Stakes last month at Emerald Downs. . .Hronis Racing’s Catalina Cruiser ($4.60) cruised to an easy victory in the $200,000 San Diego Handicap (G2) for 3-year-olds and up at Del Mar, running 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.95. Defending champion Accelerate, also owned by Hronis Racing, was scratched. . .Live racing continues Sunday with the $50,000 Washington Oaks for 3-year-old fillies and Fiesta Premio Esmeralda shirts to the first 5,000 fans. First post is 2 p.m. In the 1 1/8 mile Oaks, John & Janene Maryanskis Bella Mia is the 9-5 morning line favorite.
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