Spot On and Heribert “Eddie” Martinez

SPOT ON ALL THE WAY IN SATURDAY FEATURE

AUBURN, Wash. (June 1, 2019) – Spot On would not be denied Saturday at Emerald Downs.

In a virtual match-race from gate to wire, Spot On out dueled Crazy for Gold and posted a one-length victory in the $11,300 Muckleshoot Casino Purse older fillies and mares. Heribert Martinez rode the winner for trainer Kay Cooper and owner Blue Ribbon #16.

Spot On, third choice in the wagering, ran six furlongs in 1:09.73 and paid $8.40, $4.20 and $2.20.
A Washington-bred 4-year-old, Spot On is 2-1-2 in 10 career starts with earnings of $31,285, including $6,215 for Saturday’s triumph. By Nationhood-Sudden Departure, Spot On is a full sister to 2014 Washington Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Find Your Spot.

Spot On, blinkers on, set fractions of :21.65, :44.25 and :56.37, finally edging clear of Crazy for Gold in the final strides.

Crazy for Gold chased outside the winner from flag fall to finish, but came up just short in a game effort. The runner-up was ridden by Kevin Orozco and paid $3.40 and $2.10.

Beau Rocks, the even-money favorite ridden by Franklin Ceballos, finished third and paid $2.10, while I Double Dare You, Avilles, Taptoo and Forbidden Maria completed the order of finish.

The stewards conducted an inquiry into the race, examining an incident in mid-stretch, but made no change in the order of finish.

Juan Gutierrez

NOTES: Bonita Rapids ($4.20) scored an amazing victory in the Saturday opener under Juan Gutierrez. The 5-year-old mare veered out badly into the stretch, was re-straightened by Gutierrez and prevailed by 2 ¼ lengths in 1:38.54 for one mile. Trained by Bill Tollett and owned by Ron Wise, Bonita Rapids is 3 for 7 at Emerald Downs, while Gutierrez is 5 for 7 in routes this season at Emerald Downs. . .Giopress ($4) prevailed in race two and made it 21 wins in 17 days for trainer Frank Lucarelli, while also giving owner Chad Christensen his meet-leading eighth win. . .Sky Confidential ($19.40), stakes placed as a 2-year-old, broke through with a 1 ¾-length victory in Saturday’s $18,500 maiden special weight for 3-year-olds and up. A Sky Mesa gelding owned by David Matsumoto and trained by Howard Belvoir, Sky Confidential ran six furlongs in 1:09.07. . .Gary Wales rode two winners and tops the standings with 21 wins. . .Javier Matias also rode two winners and is second with 16 wins. . .Live racing continues Sunday with the $50,000 Governor’s Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs. First post time is 2 p.m.
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