Whiskey Harbor with jockey Kevin Radke

WHISKEY HARBOR SCORES IN 50,000 KING COUNTY EXPRESS

AUBURN, Wash. (July 9, 2023) – Whiskey Harbor powered to the lead early and poured it on late, romping by 4 ¼ lengths in Sunday’s $50,000 King County Express for 2-year-old colts and geldings at Emerald Downs.

Ridden by Kevin Radke, Whiskey Harbor covered 5 ½ furlongs in 1:03.88 and paid $15.60 as third choice in the wagering. Ryland Harwood, assisted by Chuck McCormick, is the winning trainer for owners Lee Erickson and Connie Erickson of Sublimity, Oregon.

An Oregon-bred by Rise Up, Whiskey Harbor is the first stakes winner for his sire and now unbeaten in two starts with earnings of $42,570.

Breaking from the No. 6 post-position, Whiskey Harbor took the lead at once, set splits of :22.03, and :45.34, straightened into the stretch with a three-length lead, and proved much the best.

“I really appreciate this mount,” said Radke, tied for sixth all-time with 32 stakes wins at Emerald Downs. “I thought that we’d be laying behind the speed, but he broke well and said, “let’s go for it.” He had a plan today.”

Freightline, ridden by Alex Cruz, chased the winner from second early and then re-rallied late to take second place.

Bourbon Dancer, the 6 to 5 favorite ridden by Silvio Amador, was a bit slow into stride but did rally into contention and wound up third. Rounding out the order of finish were Mokki, Mr. Executive, Golden Affair, Sir Argento, and Digital Soldier.

The $50,000 WTBOA Lads Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs is next for 2-year-old colts and geldings on Sunday, August 6.

Appeal Factor with jockey Silvio Amador

APPEAL FACTOR CAPTURES $50,000 ANGIE C STAKES

First-time starter Appeal Factor gained command into the stretch and drew clear for a 2 ½-length victory over Mocktails Anyone in Sunday’s $50,000 Angie C Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, running 5 ½ furlongs in 1:04.16 under Silvio Amador and returning $10.20 as fourth betting choice.

The victory was especially meaningful for trainer David Martinez and owner/breeder Jack Hodge (Oak Crest Farm) of Enumclaw. The dam of Appeal Factor, Karula, debuted with a victory for the same connections in the 2016 Angie C Stakes, scoring by 11 lengths at odds of 31 to 1 in a stakes record 1:02.72. And the sire, The Factor, produced 2018 Angie C winner Northwest Factor and 2022 Emerald Downs’ champion 2-year-old filly Aloha Breeze.

Breaking from the No. 6 post, Appeal Factor moved into contention on the turn, took the lead three-wide into the stretch, and proved clearly best through the lane, edging away from Mocktails Anyone and Bourbon Tiger for the victory.

The winner’s share was $27,500.

For Amador, new to Emerald Downs in 2023, the victory was his first here in a stakes race.

Mocktails Anyone, the slight 2 to 1 betting favorite ridden by Carlos Montalvo, and Bourbon Tiger, 2 to 1 second choice, held second and third after dueling through fractions of :21.71 and :44.89 for the quarter and half-mile. Bring a Smile rallied to finish fourth while Parker’s Fifteen, Neissa, and Drewy rounded out the complete order of finish.

The $50,000 WTBOA Lassies Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs is next for 2-year-old fillies on Sunday, August 6.

NOTES: Sunday’s mutuel handle was $1,530,293 on a 10-race card. . .Silvio Amador was the lone jockey with two wins while Frank Lucarelli was the only trainer to double Sunday. . .The $0.50 Pick 5 paid $7,356.90, second highest of the season. . . Carrie and Sadie Slavin, granddaughter and great granddaughter of Angie Crockett, served as honorary stewards for the Angie C Stakes. . .King County councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles was honorary steward for the King County Express. . .Arma d’Oro ($9.80) collared Prayer of Jabez in the final furlong to take the $25,000 sub-feature for 3-year-olds and up, running 6 ½ furlongs in 1:14.37 under Rocco Bowen for Dan Markle and owners Anne MacLennan, Len Strandley, and the Estate of Glyn Kelly. Morning line favorite Tax Code was scratched earlier in the day. . .Katonah ($4.40) won the inaugural running of the $150,000 Pleasanton Mile for 3-year-olds and up. . .Live racing resumes Friday with first post 7 p.m.
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