Emerald Downs Wrap-Saturday, September 22

Atypique and Julien Couton

ATYPIQUE DOMINATES $22,300 DISTANCE EVENT FINAL

AUBURN, Wash. (Sept. 22, 2018) – Atypique took command into the last turn and powered to a 3 ¼-length victory Saturday in the finale of the $22,700 WHBPA & WTBOA Horsemen Helping Horsemen Distance Series.

With Julien Couton riding, Atypique ran 1 ½ miles in 2:31.21 and paid $6.40, $3.40 and $2.80. Debbie Peery is the winning trainer for owners Little Barn Racing and Michelle Brasch.

The victory capped a fabulous series for Atypique, who finished first in all three legs—1 1/8 mile, 1 ¼ mile and 1 ½ mile—but was disqualified in the middle leg for interference in the stretch.

Saturday’s victory was Atypique’s most convincing yet. Saving ground while stalking Cold Hard Luck through a mile in 1:40.62, Atypique gained control a half-mile from home and pretty much galloped unchallenged to the wire.

A 6-year-old Kentucky-bred by Tapit, Atypique is 6-4-2 in 27 lifetime starts with earnings of $72,774. Saturday’s win was worth $12,265.

The Gold Monkey, ridden by Rocco Bowen, nosed out Deputy’s Command for second and paid $4.60 and $3.40, while Deputy’s Command, ridden by Kevin Orozco, rallied from the clouds for third and paid $4.20. Royal Tale, Cold Hard Luck, Private Boss and Tiz Jolie rounded out the order of finish.

NOTES: Awesome Return ($16) became the seventh horse to win four races this season with a gate-to-wire victory in 1:34.99 for one mile. The win boosted John Parker into a first-place tie with Saratoga West for leading owner at 17 wins apiece. . .The trainers’ race also is headed to the wire with Jeff Metz owning a 43-41 lead over Blaine Wright into Sunday. . .Julien Couton and Kevin Orozco rode two winners each Saturday. . .Cats Touch ($21) prevailed over the filly So Figure It Out in Saturday’s fifth race for $25,000 claiming 2-year-olds. Jose Zunino rode the winner for owner/trainer Alan Bozell. . .Uncle Kimo ($10.20) and Dark Morning ($9) both became triple winners this season with victories Saturday. . .Live racing continues Sunday with the inaugural running of the $100,000 Getaway Day Stakes for 3-year-olds, along with the $50,000 Gottstein Futurity for 2-year-olds and a pair of $25,000 overnight stakes for older horses. First post is 2 p.m.

–##–