Pistol Power

PISTOL POWER ALL THE WAY IN THURSDAY FEATURE

AUBURN, Wash. (Sept. 2, 2021) – Pistol Power took command early and pulled away late for a 3 ¼-length triumph in Thursday’s $10,500 Redhook Brewery Purse for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs.

With Alex Cruz riding, Pistol Power ran one mile in 1:36.62 and paid $6.80 as the second betting choice. Rigoberto Velasquez is the winning trainer for owners S and M Stable and Kyrie Patino.

For Velasquez, it was his second win of the night and eighth in his last 11 starts overall. His 17 wins rank third in the trainers’ standings, six back of Joe Toye.

Nicely rated by Cruz, Pistol Power controlled the pace through fractions of :23.90, :47.37, 1:11.32 and 1:23.70, and had plenty in reserve in the run to the wire.

A 7-year-old Washington-bred by War Power, Pistol Power has been a study in consistency the last two seasons with a 4-2-4 record in 16 starts. The dark bay gelding has an overall record of 10-6-7 from 35 starts with earnings of $70,611.

Lolly Express, ridden by apprentice McKenna Anderson, finished second, while 7 to 5 favorite Rate for Me, ridden by Julien Couton, rallied to finish third.

Wilson to Lockett, Ardenlee Star and David Nose Best closed out the order of finish. Pulpits Power was scratched.

NOTES: Mutuel handle totaled $897,263 on a seven-race program. . .Tyche Awaits You ($19) prevailed in Thursday’s $20,350 maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies, running 5 ½ furlongs in 1:05.47. . .3-year-old filly Emerald Sea ($11.40) defeated older males in race five, leading gate to wire under Jose Zunino. . .Alex Cruz and Julien Couton each had a win and Cruz remains atop the leaderboard by a 65-64 margin over Couton, with Juan Gutierrez third with 58. . .Thursday’s card was the final weeknight program of the season. . .Live racing resumes Saturday with first post 6:30 p.m.
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