Guardian One and jockey Gary Wales

GUARDIAN ONE VERY SHARP IN SATURDAY FEATURE

AUBURN, Wash. (June 8, 2019) – Guardian One would not be denied Saturday at Emerald Downs. She out-sprinted the speedsters and held off the closers and scored a 1 ¼-length victory in the $18,500 Muckleshoot Casino Purse for older fillies and mares.

Ridden by Gary Wales, the Guardian One ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.57 and paid $13.80, $7 and $4.40. Chris Stenslie trains the winner for owners Tony and Brenna Loften.

Breaking from the No. 1 post-position, Guardian One set fractions of :22.16 and :44.55for the quarter and half-mile, shook free of McDove into the lane, and held off Jerre to Carrie and Risque’s Legacy for her sixth career victory.

A 6-year-old Washington-bred by Coast Guard, Guardian One is 6-8-2 in 26 starts overall with earnings of $73,340. Saturday’s victory was worth $10,175.

Jerre to Carrie, who edged Guardian One last month, loomed boldly past mid-stretch, but was unable to catch the winner and settled for second. Ridden by Kevin Orozco, Jerre to Carrie paid $4.60 and $3.20.

Risque’s Legacy finished third, a head behind Jerre to Carrie, and paid $5 to show, while McDove, Judicial, Fly Far Away, Brilliant Bird and Beau Rocket completed the order of finish.

Free Coffee! (Drawing by Sally Steiner)

NOTES: Gary Wales rode two winners Saturday–his 24th and 25th of the meet–and owns an eight-win lead over Javier Matias and Kevin Orozco atop the standings. . .Cross Creek ran the meet’s fastest 6 ½ furlongs—1:15.19—on Friday, May 31. . .6-year-old mare Jerre to Carrie was claimed for $30,000 Saturday by trainer Rigoberto Velasquez and owner Inittowinit. . . Trainer Keith Hanna notched his first career Emerald Downs victory, saddling Drops in the Ocean ($6.20) to a maiden triumph in the eighth race finale. . . Oldtimers Vision ($13.40) notched his 11th career Emerald Downs’ victory in Saturday’s fifth race, holding off My Chief in 1:36.68 for one mile. Apprentice Jose Leon is 3 for 4 aboard the 8-year-old gelding, scoring a pair of victories this spring at Turf Paradise and collecting Saturday’s win for trainer Jack McCartney and owner Tawnja Elison. . . Jorge Carreno was off his mounts again Saturday with a gall bladder issue, but will resume riding next week agent David Singer said. . .Romeoinbluejeans ($7.20) and Wild Wilko ($13.20) both notched their second wins of the meet Saturday. . .Live racing continues Sunday with the $50,000 Kent Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 6 ½ furlongs. First post is 2 p.m.
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