Emerald Downs Wrap-Sunday, May 28

Smiling Goodbye with jockey Luis Negron

SMILING GOODBYE SCORES UPSET IN SUNDAY FEATURE

AUBURN, Wash. (May 28, 2023) – Smiling Goodbye powered to the lead past mid-stretch and drew clear for a 3 1/2 length victory over Bridleuptothebar in the $28,000 Muckleshoot Casino Purse for 3-year-olds and up Sunday at Emerald Downs.

With Luis Negron riding his second of three winners on the card, Smiling Goodbye covered 5 ½ furlongs in a meet-best 1:02.45 and paid $19 as fifth choice in the wageringto his scattered backers in the crowd. Debbie Peery is the winning trainer for owner Little Barn Racing (Luis Ruiz).

Smiling Goodbye stalked Polacco through splits of :21.86 and :44.46, moved up to challenge into the lane, gained command in the final furlong and proved much the beat. A 4-year-old California-bred by Smiling Tiger, Smiling Goodbye earned $16,240 to boost his career total to $86,630. His overall record is 3-3-2 from 13 starts including a third in last year’s Muckleshoot Derby.

Bridleuptothebar, the 4 to 5 betting favorite ridden by Javier Matias, rallied from slightly off the pace and chased the winner home to finish second. Polacco, ridden by Kevin Radke, finished third while Cobra Jet, Executive Chef, Prayer of Jabez, and Hollywood as Usual rounded out the order of finish.

Live racing continues Monday on Memorial Day at 2 p.m., including a $17,456 carryover in the $0.50 Pick 5.

NOTES: Total mutuel handle was $1,291,704 on a nine-race card. . .Debbie Peery is 3-0-0 in four starts at the meet. . .Negron has two triples at the meet and leads Kevin Radke 13-10 atop the standings. . .Justin Evans saddled two winners and tops the trainers standings with eight wins. . .Stepup ($5.80) improved to 2-1-0 in three life starts with a gate to wire score in a $25,000 allowance for 3-year-old fillies, zipping 5 ½ panels in 1:03.25 under Alex Cruz for trainer Jose Navarro and owners Jimmy Hammonds and Cleveland Hammonds. . .Lafonda paid a meet-high $63.40 win for her gate to wire score in race seven under Javier Matias for owner/trainer Ryland Harwood.

–##–