Big Endeavor

BIG ENDEAVOR SHARP IN THURSDAY FEATURE RACE

AUBURN, Wash. (July 8, 2021) – Big Endeavor drew clear for a five-length victory in the featured $20,900 Muckleshoot Casino Purse for 3-year-olds Thursday night at Emerald Downs.

With Alex Cruz riding, Big Endeavor sprinted 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.19 and paid $7.80, $4.20 and $3 as the betting favorite in the field of 11. Ken Person is the winning conditioner and co-owner with Mike Nyland and Eric Amerland.

The winner rallied between Forever Gold and Kowboykabin into the stretch and drew off to win with complete authority. A California-bred by Mr. Big, Big Endeavor has enjoyed a productive 2021 campaign, compiling a 4-0-2 record in eight starts with earnings of $49,908.

Big Endeavor’s overall mark is 4-2-4 in 14 starts with $62,322 in earnings, including a third in the $50,000 Auburn Stakes three weeks ago.

Slew’s Tiz Whiz, ridden by Jose Zunino, produced a strong late rally for second and paid $6.80 and $4.80, while Kowboykabin, ridden by Eddie Martinez, finished third and paid $4.

Martinez lodged an objection against the winner, alleging interference against Big Endeavor and Cruz on the turn, but the stewards disallowed the claim.

Nationheart, House of Lords, Gordon Anthony, One Keene Kat, Mamacallmeboo, Forever Gold, Coastal Jazz and Orcadian Storm rounded out the complete order of finish.

NOTES: Total mutuel handle was $1,395,644 on the eight-race card. . .Cruz rode two winners Thursday, extending his consecutive winning days streak to 42 and boosting his season win total to 35. . .Juan Gutierrez also rode two winners for his fourth consecutive multiple-win day. . .Trainers Jose Navarro and Tena Birdwell each scored their first wins of the meet Thursday. . .The $0.20 Jackpot Pick Six pool is up to $13,644. . .Hard to Deny ($6) scored by one length over Naval Escort in a $20,900 allowance for 3-year-olds and up, running a mile in 1:35.70 for trainer Chris Stenslie and co-owners One Horse Will Do Corp. and Stenslie. A 5-year-old Hard Spun gelding, Hard to Deny is 2-3-1 from 13 starts with earnings of $39,956. . .2020 Horse of the Meeting Dutton worked four furlongs in a bullet :46 in advance of the $50,000 Irish Day Stakes for 3-year-olds on July 25. . .Live racing resumes Saturday with first post 6:30 p.m.
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