Spittin Image and Juan Gutierrez romping home in Sunday’s feature race
SPITTIN IMAGE ALL THE WAY IN SUNDAY FEATURE,
GETS CLAIMED FOR A SEASON-HIGH $30,000
AUBURN, Wash. (June 5, 2022) – Spittin Image resumed his winning ways Sunday afternoon at Emerald Downs, leading all the way for a 3 ½-length victory in the $25,000 Muckleshoot Casino Purse for 3-year-olds and up.
Ridden by Juan Gutierrez, Spittin Image zipped six furlongs in 1:08.35 on a wet-fast track and paid $5.60 as the public betting choice. The winning times marks the fastest six furlongs of the meet, eclipsing a 1:08.37 clocking by Mixo on May 21.
Spittin Image set fractions of :22.05, :44.53 and :56.21, controlling the pace gate to wire under Gutierrez for the copnvinceing victory. Niccolo Troiani saddled the winner for owners One Horse Will Do Corporation, Chris Stenslie, and Pete DeRaitus.
A full brother to 2016 Emerald Downs Horse of the Meeting, Spittin Image enjoyed a sparkling 2021 campaign with three wins and two thirds in six starts and $45,909 in purses. Sunday’s triumph boosted his overall mark to 5-3-4 in 14 starts with $87,701 in earnings. The 5-year-old Harbor the Gold gelding was claimed Sunday for a meet-high $30,000 by owner John Parker and trainer Candi Cryderman.
El Alto Hombre finished second, marking the 29th first or second place finish from 40 career starts for the 7-year-old gelding. Mr. Stang, a newcomer to Emerald Downs, finished third while Stand To, Makah Lane, Nationheart and Franks Fix It rounded out the order of finish. Defense Wins was scratched.
NOTES: Total mutuel handle was $1,283,556 on an eight-race card. . . Niccolo Troiani is two for two at the meet. . .Juan Gutierrez rode three winners and Alex Cruz had two wins Sunday. . .With eight days in the books, Kevin Radke owns a 17-15 lead over Cruz atop the standings, while Gutierrez is three back with 14 wins. . .Purple Rose Ranch and trainer M.L. Pierce posted a one-two finish with Alpine Hypnosis ($6) edging Warriors Hero for a nose victory in race two. . .Trainer Blaine Wright won twice Sunday, scoring with Syzlak ($3.20) and Darcee’s Lovi Dovi ($6.60) in races one and three. . .In the trainers’ standings, Candi Cryderman owns a 7-6 lead over Wright while Sam Dronen is third with five wins. . .Fantastic Day ($4) rolled from off the pace to collar Muncey in the final strides of Sunday’s fifth race, running six furlongs in 1:09.75 under Cruz for trainer Jorge Rosales and owner Alan Peterson. . .Previous high claim this season was $25,000: Ms Parkside (May 29), Eyes for Gold (May 28), and Violent Move (May 22). . .Jersey Red ($20.80) gave trainer Liz Kowalski her first Emerald Downs victory in Sunday’s sixth race. . .The $0.20 Jackpot Pick 6 carryover has reached $9,505.80. . .Live racing resumes Friday with first post time 7 p.m.
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