Mike Man’s Gold with victory No. 23
AMAZING MIKE MAN’S GOLD BACK IN WINNER’S CIRCLE
AUBURN, Wash. (Sept. 30, 2020) – Mike Man’s Gold did what he does best Wednesday at Emerald Downs.
The 10-year-old gelding drew clear for a 2 ¾-length victory over Iron Rob in the $9,500 Muckleshoot Casino Purse for 3-year-olds and up. Ridden by Gary Wales, Mike Man’s Gold ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.10 and paid $14.20 as fourth choice in the wagering.
The track’s all-time leader in wins, Mike Man’s Gold now has 23 career victories at Emerald Downs—two more than West Seattle Boy—whose record he broke last year.
Trained by Joe Toye and owned by Greg Conley, Chuck Conley and Terra Firma Farm, Mike Man’s Gold became the first horse to win races nine straight seasons at Emerald Downs. He scored his maiden win July 7, 2012 and has multiple wins in seven seasons.
A Washington-bred by Liberty Gold-Chedoodle, Mike Man’s Gold has an overall record of 23-6-8 in 70 starts, including a 23-5-6 mark in 56 starts at Emerald Downs. He ranks 43rd among Washington-breds with $354,791 in earnings, and 9th at Emerald Downs with $331,066.
In Wednesday’s victory, Mike Man’s Gold engaged Iron Rob at the quarter-pole, and the two dueled head and head to mid-stretch before Mike Man’s Gold drew off to win convincingly. Iron Rob, second choice at 2 to 1, finished second and was followed by Rocket Power, Guardingthemoney, Sway Road, Kitten’s Royal and Rough and Ready.
NOTES: Wales rode four winners and jumped to second place in the riders’ standings with 40 wins. .Alex Cruz rode a pair of long shot winners and upped his meet-leading total to 51 wins. Cruz has five straight multiple win days and 16 straight days with at least one win. . .Cerapio Figueroa also rode two winners. . .Total mutuel handle on the nine-race card was $1,394,263. . .Two nice carryovers to Thursday—$28,119 in the $0.50 Pick 5 and $12,825 in the Jackpot Pick 7. . .Battle Point Red ($7.60) ran six furlongs in 1:08.77 and became the eight horse to win three races at the meet. A 6-year-old by Sixthirteen, Battle Point Red is trained by Bonnie Jenne for Badrock Racing. . .Juan Gutierrez was off his mounts Wednesday due to illness. . .A rare double DQ in race seven as second and third-place finisher General Mach Four and Daytona Beach were placed third and fourth respectively for interference vs. Graycaster on the backstretch. . .Owner/trainer Amy Nelson scored her first career Emerald Downs’ victory when Arugula ($18.80) prevailed in the nightcap. . . Live racing continues Thursday with a stakes tripleheader including the $75,000 Gottstein Futurity, $40,000 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic and $40,000 Washington Cup Filly & Mares Stakes. First post 5 p.m.
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