All American Hero

ALL AMERICAN HERO BLITZES FOES IN THURSDAY FEATURE

AUBURN, Wash. (June 24, 2021) – All American Hero remained razor sharp Thursday evening, romping by 6 ¼ lengths in the $17,160 Clarion Purse for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs.

With Alex Cruz riding, All American Hero ran six furlongs in a sizzling 1:07.97 and paid $4 as the betting favorite. Papa’s Golden Boy, with a 1:07.71 in the Budweiser Stakes, is the only horse with a faster six furlongs this season at Emerald Downs.

Claimed for $8,500 at Turf Paradise in April, All American Hero is two for two at the meet for trainer Joe Toye and owner Bill Jensen. In his previous start May 26, the 6-year-old gelding Hero scored by 4 ¾ lengths in 1:02.81 for 5 ½ furlongs, earning a 79 Beyer.

For his career, All American Hero is 5-5-4 in 25 starts with earnings of $118,442.

Breaking from the No. 2 post position, All American Hero dueled with Capital Expense through fractions of :22.16 and :44.19 for the quarter and half-mile, shook clear into the stretch and drew off to win as much the best.

Elliott Bay, ridden by Eddie Martinez, rallied for second place, while Bear Chum, Bullet Drill and Capital Expense rounded out the order of finish.

Bear Chum, an 8-year-old Australian-bred, was claimed for a season-high $20,000 Thursday by trainer Jack McCartney and owner Clay Ward.

NOTES: Total mutuel handle was $1,054,197. . . Julien Couton rode four winners on the eight-race card, pulling within two wins of Alex Cruz in the riders’ standings. . .Cruz rode two winners and finished the week with a 27-25 lead over Couton. . .Joe Toye saddled two winners and leads the trainers’ standings with 12 wins. . .Trainer Ari Herbertson also had two wins and is 8 for 17 at the meet. . .Trainer Chris Stenslie had the winning exacta in race five with Bennyandthechicks ($5.60) holding off stable mate Alpine Hypnosis for the maiden victory. . .Reminder no live racing Sunday due to expected extreme heat conditions. Live racing resumes Wednesday with first post 6 p.m.
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