Calex and Kevin Orozco
CALEX PREVAILS IN JOHN PARKER RACING PURSE
AUBURN, Wash. (May 26, 2018) – Calex found himself in a familiar spot Saturday afternoon at Emerald Downs—the winner’s circle.
Ridden by Kevin Orozco, the hard-trying 6-year-old gelding shook off Salty Minnow into the stretch and repelled Awesome Return through the lane for a three-length victory in the $11,200 John Parker Racing Purse for 3-year-olds and up.
Calex ran one mile in a meet-fastest 1:35.19, and paid $7, $3.80 and $2.60. Robbie Baze is the trainer for owners Picho Garcia and Valentin G. Garcia.
An Ontario-bred by Harlington, Calex is 14-5-4 in 42 career starts with earnings of $76,123. His Emerald Downs’ record is 7-4-0 in 20 starts.
Taking the lead from the No. 1 post-position, Calex set fractions of :23.40, :46.28, 1:10.25 and 1:22.46 en route to his latest victory, which was his ninth career win at the mile distance.
Awesome Return, the 2-1 favorite ridden by Erick Lopez, challenged the winner at the head of the lane, but was no match late and paid $340 and $2.40. Archie Graham, with Patrick Henry Jr. riding, closed from last to finish third and paid $2.80 to show.
L’s Choice, Bullet Express and Salty Minnow rounded out the order of finish; Que Chistoso was scratched earlier in the day.
NOTES: Apprentice Alex Anaya rode his first Emerald Downs’ winner Saturday, guiding Great Eagle to a $29.80 upset in an $18,500 maiden special weight for trainer Larry Pierce. A 19-year-old native of Cimmaron, Kansas, Anaya’s previous four victories were in Nebraska at Fonner Park. . .Pretty Miss Vanna paid a season-high $66 for win in Saturday’s second race for $5,000 maiden fillies and mares. Anne Sanguinetti, who is developing into a long shot specialist at Emerald Downs, rode Pretty Miss Vanna for owner/trainer Cliff Balcom. Sanguinetti also rode No Talking Back, the previous high payoff at $60.40 on May 5. . .Gallyn Mitchell, the track’s all-time leading rider with 1,419 wins, was a visitor Saturday at Emerald Downs. . .Chu and I nearly ended a seven-year Emerald Downs’ winless drought in race six, but was caught in the final stride by One Macho Gambler ($6.60). It was Chu and I’s 15th second place finish since his last Emerald Downs victory in the 2011WTBOA Lads Stakes. . .Trainer Satchell Stevens, who has three starts at the meet including Camy Award in Saturday’s fifth race, is the nephew of Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens. . .Lorenzo Lopez book-ended the card with victories on For Sweet Jess ($3.40) in the Quarter Horse opener, and Tizzy Dean ($26) in the nightcap. . .Rocco Bowen rode two more winners Saturday and has 27 wins in the first 13 days of racing. He needs seven wins for 500 at Emerald Downs. . .Racing continues Sunday with the $50,000 Auburn Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings. First post is 2 p.m., and festivities include a $9,560 carryover in the $0.20 Pick 7.
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