Gary Wales

E Z STAR MAKER CONTINUES HER WINNING WAYS

AUBURN, Wash. (May 18, 2019) – E Z Star Maker sprinted early and held off Beau Rocks late for a neck victory Saturday in the $11,200 Muckleshoot Casino Purse for older fillies and mares.

With Gary Wales riding his fourth winner on the card, E Z Star Maker ran six furlongs in 1:09.67 and paid $5.60, $2.60 and $2.20. Howie Gibson is the trainer for owners Homer and Nancy Gibson of Kent, WA.

Hustled to the lead from the No. 1 post, E Z Star Maker set fractions of :21.85, :44.45 and :56.66, opened a three-length lead past mid-stretch, and had just enough gas to prevail over Beau Rocks.

A 6-year-old Washington-bred mare by He’s Tops, E Z Star Maker is 2 for 2 at the meet and 4-1-0 in six lifetime starts with $23,690 in earnings, including $6,160 for Saturday’s victory.

Beau Rocks, last on the backstretch, kicked into high gear in the stretch and just missed tagging the winner. Ridden by Franklin Ceballos, the runner-up paid $3.40 and $2.40.

Sugarseeker, ridden by Kevin Orozco, finished well for third and paid $3.20, while Glitter and Gold, Spot On and Tesla rounded out the order of finish. Hold That Smile was scratched and is reentered in the second race Sunday.

Spot On was favored by a mere $43 over E Z Star Maker in the win pool: $9,513 to $9,470.

NOTES: Wales also scored Saturday wins aboard Athleisure ($5.20), Fool Proof ($4.20) and Tiz Manny ($14.20), and tops the riders’ standings with 13 wins. In addition to four wins, Wales also had two seconds and two thirds on the eight-race card. A 33-year-old native of Edinburgh, Scotland, Wales rode 54 winners winners while finishing fourth overall in 2018. . .After three wins Friday, owner Chad Christensen and trainer Frank Lucarelli clicked with Samurai Jack ($3.80) in the Saturday finale and are a combined four for four this week. . .With a victory on Samurai Jack, Javier Matias moved within three wins of the 500 win mark at Emerald Downs. . .Live racing continues Sunday with the $50,000 Auburn Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings. First post is 2 p.m.
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