AUBURN, WA – The 82nd running of the Muckleshoot Tribal Classic set up perfect for a closer as the speedster Papa’s Golden Boy set some quick fractions in the 1 1/16th mile race contested over a wet fast racetrack.
It was the final day of the 55-day season in Emerald Downs’ 29th season.
Oak Crest Farm LLC’s Naval Escort rallied from far back to win by a widening 8 3/4 lengths. Naval Escort was ridden to victory by Karlo Lopez for trainer David Martinez and paid $7.46.
The fractions were 22-2, 44-4 and 1:08-2 for 6 furlongs. The final time was 1:42.57. The 6-year-old WA-bred gelding collected his second win at the meet and fourth in his career.
Finishing second was Coastal Kid (8/1) and rounding out the top three was Its Kraken Time (10/1). The betting favorite Coastal Jazz (4/5) finished a disappointing fourth in the five-horse race.
Slew’s Tiz Whiz was scratched the morning of the race.
CHAI BATTLES ALL THE WAY TO WIRE TO WIN BY A HEAD
Chai made her way to the lead turning for home and was very game in deep stretch holding off Zippin Sevenz (9/2) to take the WA Cup Filly and Mare S. by a head. Chai was ridden to victory by Isaias Enriquez and paid $8.32 to win.
It was Chai’s third win of the year and first stakes victory. The WA-bred was trained by Kay Cooper for longtime owners Jill Fabulich and Lori Heist.
The Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Pabst-bred 3-year-old filly stopped the clock for the 1 1/16th mile race in 1:43.35.
Emerald Sea (5/1) ended up third.
