GUINEVERE’S FINALE CAPS BIG SEASON WITH FEATURE WIN
AUBURN, Wash. (Sept. 4, 2016) – Guinevere’s Finale wore down Jerre to Carrie and edged clear for a 2 ¼-length victory Sunday in the $19,500 Italian Day Purse for older fillies and mares at Emerald Downs.
Under regular rider Javier Matias, Guinevere’s Finale ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.46 and paid $5 and $2.80. David Martinez is the winning trainer for owner/breeder Oak Crest Farm LLC (Jack & Theresa Hodge).
The victory capped a sensational meeting for Guinevere’s Finale, finishing with a 4-0-0 record in seven starts and $65,310 in earnings. Her 23-1 victory in the Boeing Stakes and fourth in the 12-horse Emerald Distaff make her a candidate for Top Older Filly or Mare of the meeting.
A 5-year-old Kentucky-bred by Tale of the Cat-Guinevere, Guinevere’s Finale is 7-1-2 in 18 career starts with earnings of $132,256.
Jerre to Carrie, ridden by Rocco Bowen, set fractions of :22.84 and :45.64, battled back when challenged by Guinevere’s Finale in the stretch, and gradually gave way to the winner. Jerre to Carrie paid $3.80 to place.
Curly Girly, the even-money favorite, was seven lengths back in third and Formal Choice finished last. E Z Star Maker and Perhaps a Pie, the 2-1 morning line favorite, were scratched earlier in the day.
NOTES: He’s Cagey ($6.60) became only the second horse with five wins at the meet with a gate-to-wire victory under Erick Lopez in race seven for trainer Blaine Wright and co-owners Wright, Seamist Racing and Abel Pulver. A 7-year-old Idaho-bred, He’s Cagey ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.20 and joined Copy Begone as the meet’ only five-time winners. . . He’s Cagey’s victory gives Blaine Wright a 36-34 lead on Jeff Metz in the trainers’ standings, with only three days left to decide the title. Frank Lucarelli, who doubled Sunday, also remains in contention with 33 wins. . . Congratulations to owner Michael Pollowitz, father of Emerald Downs media stalwart Jacob Pollowitz, on taking down Sunday’s entire Pick 7 pool to the tune of $7,232. . .Gold Rush Dancer finished 12th in Sundays $300,000 Del Mar Derby (G3) captured by 12-1 long shot Free Rose. . .Monday is closing day at Del Mar and features a mammoth $547,421 Pick 6 carryover with a mandatory payout. . .Live racing continues at Emerald Downs Monday with a special Labor Day race card. First post is 2 p.m.
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