Coastal Kid powers to victory under Karlo Lopez

CLASSY COASTAL KID SCORES MOTHER’S DAY VICTORY

AUBURN, Wash. (May 4, 2024) – Coastal Kid took command into the stretch and scored a 1 ¾-length victory in Sunday’s $24,500 Muckleshoot Casino Purse for 3-year-olds and up at sun-kissed Emerald Downs.

Ridden by Emerald Downs newcomer Karlo Lopez, Coastal Kid zipped 5 ½ furlongs in 1:02.38 and paid $8.48 as second choice in a strong field of older sprinters. Alexis Silva-Martinez is the winning trainer for owners Steve and Letha Haahr of Puyallup, Wash.

A 6-year-old Washington-bred by Coast Guard, Coastal Kid is two for three this year and 6-8-4 from 33 lifetime starts with earnings of $193,964. Crème, dam of Coastal Kid, enjoyed a big weekend as 4-year-old filly Crème de Menthe, prevailed in a Saturday allowance test at Emerald Downs.
In Sunday’s feature, Coastal Kid stalked Itsallabouttheride through fractions of :22.27 and :44.57 for the quarter and half-mile, pounced into the lane and won drawing clear.

Welton, the 9 to 5 betting favorite, nipped Dirt Road Red for second and has a 1-1-0 record two career starts on dirt. Dirt Road Red, winner of five races here last year, finished third in his 2024 debut, while Elevado, Itsallabouttheride, and Muncey rounded out the order of finish. Executive Chef and Prisoner were scratched earlier in the day.

Lopez, the Turf Paradise riding champion, is off to a fast start at Emerald Downs with three wins in his first two days of action. However, four-time riding champion Alex Cruz also remained red hot with his third straight riding double to begin the season.

NOTES: Sunday’s mutuel handle totaled a season-high $1,513,601 on a nine-race card. . .The entire Emerald Downs jockey colony was introduced in the paddock before the first race. . .Brayan Pena scored his first riding double at Emerald Downs including a $54.96 stunner on Northern Blend for trainer Sam Dronen. . .Lie and Deny ($3.18) sizzled six panels in 1:08.59 in race six under Isaias Enriquez for trainer Frank Lucarelli. A triple winner here last year, Lie and Deny was claimed Sunday by Debbie Peery. . .The $0.50 Pick 5 paid a whopping $18,353.33. . .The $0.50 Pick 6 carryover is $3,486.54. . .Al McEachern of Kent sang the national anthem on Mother’s day. . .Two-time Washington Horse of the Year Slew’s Tiz Whiz worked six furlongs from the gate in 1:11 4/5 Sunday. . .Racing resumes Saturday with a 1:30 p.m. post.

–##–