Emerald Downs Wrap-Saturday, July 3

Bella’s Back and jockey Julien Couton

BELLA’S BACK DOMINATES SATURDAY FEATURE RACE

AUBURN, Wash. (July 3, 2021) – Bella’s Back remained razor sharp at Emerald Downs Saturday evening, drawing away for a 4 ½-length victory over Rita Lorraine in the $15,000 feature race for older fillies and mares.

With regular rider Julien Couton aboard, Bella’s Back zipped 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.07 and paid $4 as the betting favorite. Ari Herbertson is the winning trainer for owner Scott Herbertson.

Since being claimed for $6,250 at Turf Paradise in April, Bella’s Back is 3-0-1 in four starts for her new connections, including a three for three mark under Couton at Emerald Downs with earnings of $19,800. With the win, Bella’s Back tied Rita Lorraine for most wins at the meeting.

Hustled to the lead by Couton, Bella’s Back opened a commanding advantage, setting fractions of :21.97, :43.93 and 1:08.34, and held sway to the wire.

A 7-year-old Kentucky-bred by Hold Me Back, Bella’s Back is 10 for 36 lifetime with earnings of $109,375.

Rita Lorraine, bidding for her fourth straight victory, rallied for second while Please Me, Sigrid’s Gold and Blue Mountain Bell rounded out the order of finish. Red Noon Rising was scratched earlier in the day.

NOTES: Total mutuel handle was $1,369,320 on the eight-race card. . .Veteran trainer Bob Bean scored his first Emerald Downs victory in the Saturday opener with Street Demand ($5.80), a 3 ½-length maiden victory under Juan Gutierrez. . .Apprentice Sean Gilpin broke his Emerald Downs maiden with a gate to wire victory on Mr. Atlantico ($41.80) in race eight for owner/trainer Emil Randy Abrahamson. . .Bella’s Back and Rita Lorraine are the only three-time winners at the meet; 17 horses have won two races. . .Missed the Boat ($4.40) ran a mile in a season-best 1:34.80 while winning race five for trainer Blaine Wright and owners Brian Nash, Ramsey Rutt and Woodway Stable. A 5-year-old Midshipman gelding, Missed the Boat also was claimed for $5,000 Saturday by trainer Kay Cooper and owner Kyle Conway in a five-way shake. . .The victory on Missed the Boat extended Alex Cruz’ consecutive days winning streak to 41. Cruz also won race six on Queen Breezy and leads Julien Couton 33-26 in the standings. . .Gutierrez, who rode two winners Saturday is third with 23 wins . . .Live racing resumes Thursday with first post 6 p.m.
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