Emerald Downs Wrap-Sunday, July 30

Daffodil Sweet surges to victory

DAFFODIL SWEET BACK ON TOP AT EMERALD DOWNS

AUBURN, Wash. (July 30, 2023) – Using a change in tactics, Daffodil Sweet rallied from last and edged Silvery Orb for a neck victory in Sunday’s $28,000 Wes Hodge Silver Fox Memorial Purse for older fillies and mares.

With Isaias Enriquez riding, Daffodil Sweet covered six furlongs in 1:11.09 and paid $14 as the second biggest price in a field of six. Marshall Allen saddled the winner for One Horse Will Do Corporation (Jody Peetz).

The track’s champion 3year-old filly of 2020 and older filly or mare of 2021, Daffodil Sweet set the pace in the June 25 Hastings Stakes but gave way in the stretch to finish seventh beaten 20 lengths.

It was an uncharacteristic effort by the multiple stakes winner, and a new strategy was employed Sunday. Last at the quarter-pole, Daffodil Sweet gained momentum in the stretch, rallied between horses inside the eighth pole and caught Silvery Orb in the final strides for the win.

A 6-year-old California-bred by Ministers Wild Cat, Daffodil Sweet is 8 for 14 at Emerald Downs, 10 for 19 overall, with earnings of $200.161.

Silvery Orb, the 8 to 5 favorite ridden by Jose Zunino, rallied outside for a short lead late but was outfinished by Daffodil Sweet. Stepup, the lone 3-year-old in the races, finished third, while In the Vault,You Go Girl, and Miss Bella completed the order of finish.

Miss Bella, 5 to 2 second choice, broke slowly, made a wide looping move to the lead and weakened late.

Fastest qualifier Apolinaria Prize (No. 7)

BANK OF AMERICA CHAMPIONSHIP CHALLENGE TRIALS

The Rev Rocker ($7.80) and Apolinaria Prize ($30.60) each won trials for the $40,000 Bank of America Emerald Downs Championship Challenge on Sunday, Aug. 20. The fastest 10 trial times advance to the Bank of America in three weeks.

Qualifiers for the $40,000 Bank of America Emerald Downs Championship Challenge, Sunday, Aug. 20, 440 yards: Apolinaria Prize, :22.13; The Rev Rocker, :22.39; Cm Boom Shakalaka, :22.41; No Juans Fool, :22.43; Fast Movin Freight, :22.47; Gc Harrys Game, :22.51; L Bar D Mistr Cartel, :22.58; Alabama Hills, :22.66; Newport Guy, :22.73; Dr Tool, :22.80. (Dr Tool is the defending champion, Cm Boom Shakalaka won in 2020)

NOTES: Mutuel handle totaled $1,804,278 for an 11-race card. . .Attorney Louis ($25.40) gave Joe Toye his 400th win at Emerald Downs, making Toye just the 11th trainer to achieve the milestone. . .Toye also won with Poverty Bay ($4.60) going coast to coast under Kevin Radke in a $24,000 allowance for 3-year-olds and up. . .Only one winning favorite in 11 races. . .The $0.50 Pick 5 paid $11,806.40 and the early $0.50 Pick 4 paid a season-high $6,607.40. . .Don Roberson picked up his first ever Emerald Downs victory with She Had a Secret ($17.20) in race five. A trainer for five decades, Roberson trained in the Northwest in the 70s and 80s before venturing east. . .Rosie Simkins also notched her first win of the meet with Mr. Fireball ($20) scoring off a 17-month layoff. . .Silvio Amador was the lone jockey with two wins. . .. . .Live racing resumes Friday with first post 7 p.m.