Chrome’s Best Copy and Kevin Krigger

CHROME’S BEST COPY PREVAILS IN OPENING DAY THRILLER

AUBURN, Wash. (April 27, 2025) – Chrome’s Best Copy held off Crystal Proof in a stretch duel and scored by a head in Sunday’s $16,000 Michelob Ultra Purse as Emerald Downs launched its 30th season of live racing.

With Kevin Krigger at the controls, Chrome’s Best Copy ran the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:04.76 and paid $19.48 as the longest price in a six-pack of older fillies and mares. Tena Birdwell is the winning trainer for Aaron Bresko of Seattle.

Breaking sharply from the No. 4 post, Chrome’s Best Copy set splits of :21.73, :45.22, and :57.67, fending off Crystal Proof in a slugfest to the wire.

A 5-year-old by 2014 Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome out of Emerald Downs’ stakes winner Seattle Best Copy, Chrome’s Best Copy is 3-4-1 in 11 starts at Emerald Downs and an overall ledger of 5-8-2 from 24 starts. Her career earnings are $64,701.

Crystal Proof, a winner earlier this year at Santa Anita, finished second as the 5/2 second choice while Ready to Gig was third. Poker Alice, the slight 2/1 favorite, faded to finish fifth.

Pablo Castillo

NOTES: Summanus ($5.02) and Silvio Amador prevailed in the season opener for owner/trainer Sergio Perez. . .Chilean apprentice Pablo Castillo clicked with Fantastic Dream ($17.60) in race three, the first career riding victory for the five-pound bug. . .Tim McCanna scored an opening day double with Blazing Meme ($2.82) and Chokechery Shari ($7.54) and needs 22 wins to join Frank Lucarelli in the 1000 win club at Emerald Downs. A 10-time training champion at Emerald Downs, McCanna has increased his local stable here for 2025. . .Francisco Duran was the lone rider with two wins while McCanna and Jose Puentes led trainers with two wins each. . .Opening day mutuel handle totaled $894,464 on a seven-race card. . . Live racing resumes Saturday, May 3, with the local racing sharing the spotlight with the 151st Kentucky Derby. First post 1:50 p.m.

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