Emerald Downs Wrap-Sunday, May 21

Classic Leah with jockey Luis Negron

CLASSIC LEAH TOUGH IN SUNDAY FEATURE RACE

AUBURN, Wash. (May 21, 2023) – A resilient Classic Leah wouldn’t be denied in Sunday’s featured $16,000 Muckleshoot Casino Purse for older fillies and mares at Emerald Downs.

A three-time winner here in 2022, Classic Leah began her 2023 campaign in style re-rallying for a half-length victory over Your Royal Coil, running 5 ½ furlongs in 1:03.87 on a fast track and returning $8.40 as second choice in the wagering. Luis Negron, riding his third winner Sunday, was up for trainer Vince Gibson and owner Paul Johnson of Auburn.

Breaking from the No. 1 post-position, Classic Leah and Heart On the Run alternated for the lead through splits of :21.93 and :44.98, with Heart On the Run regaining command past mid-stretch. But Classic Leah dug deep and counter-punched for the hard-earned victory, holding off a late rush by Your Roil Coil.

A 7-year-old California-bred that sold for a mere $2,200 in 2017, Classic Leah won for the ninth time in 31 starts, earning $9,280 to boost her career total to $93,518.

Your Coil Roil, ridden by Silvio Amador, finished a neck ahead of Heart On the Run, who held third under Alex Anaya. Queen Breezy, the 6 to 5 favorite, finished fourth, while Smiling Thunder, Hollywood Mistress, and Kerralia completed the order of finish.

NOTES: Total mutuel handle was $1,082,992 on a nine-race card. . .A rare double DQ in race seven resulted in both You Split Tens and Try to Capture being taken down from first and second place respectively, with Stand To ($6.20) elevated from third to first. The stewards ruled You Spilt Tens and Try to Capture both caused interference at the start. . .Justin Evans had two wins and finishes the week with a 6-5 lead on Blaine Wright atop the trainers’ standings. . .Negron leads Kevin Radke 9-8 in the jockeys’ standings. . .Oak Crest Farm homebred Kahala paid a meet-high $39.60 for his maiden win under Alex Cruz. . .Live racing Resumes Saturday with 2 p.m. first post.
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