Papa’s Golden Boy, Ima Happy Cat Win Thursday Stakes

Papa’s Golden Boy holds off Baja Sur in the Budweiser Stakes

PAPA’S GOLDEN BOY ALL THE WAY IN BUDWEISER STAKES

AUBURN, Wash. (June 17, 2021) – Papa’s Golden Boy put on a dazzling display of speed Thursday night at Emerald Downs, rolling to a 2 ¾-length victory over Baja Sur in the $50,000 Budweiser Stakes for 3-year-olds and up.

Ridden by Julien Couton at 120 lbs, Papa’s Golden Boy sizzled six furlongs in a meet fastest 1:07.71 and paid $4.80 as the second wagering choice. Vince Gibson is trainer for owners Gary and Deborah Lusk, Jeff Lusk and Peyton Lusk, all from Puyallup, Wash.

Breaking from the No. 1 post, Papa’s Golden Boy sprinted clear at once, setting factions of :22.19, :44.21 and :55.67 en route to victory. The dark bay or brown gelding opened a four-length lead into the stretch and had energy in reserve for the victory.

Couton swept both stakes Thursday, despite being unseated by Guardinghthemoney before the fifth race.

“I’ve got to congratulate the whole team—Vince, Ashley (Potts), the owners, the groom. . .everybody,” Couton said. “(Papa’s Golden Boy) is such a cool horse to ride. I was a passenger.”

A 5-year-old Washington-bred by Harbor the Gold-Brookie Girl, Papa’s Golden Boy is two for two this season while posting meet-fastest times at 5 ½ and 6 furlongs. His lifetime mark is 5-3-0 in 13 starts with earnings of $87,530, including a winner’s share of $27,500 for the Budweiser.

Baja Sur, the 3 to 5 favorite, chased the winner from gate to wire but settled for second place. Winner of numerous state and track titles, Baja Sur has a life mark of 6-6-1 from 15 starts and earnings of $259,120. Thursday’s defeat was his first in five career starts at Emerald Downs.

Take Charge Deputy was 5 ¼ lengths back in third place and Unmachable, Muncey, Returray and Once On Whiskey rounded out the order of finish. Windribbon was a late scratch.

The $50,000 Governor’s Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs is next for older horses on Sunday, July 11.

Ima Happy Cat

IMA HAPPY CAT PREVAILS IN $50,000 HASTINGS STAKES

In the $50,000 Hastings Stakes for older fillies and mares, Ima Happy Cat took the early lead and was never headed while rolling to a 2 ¼-length victory over Squan’s Kingdom in 1:08.50 for six furlongs

Ridden by Couton at 119 lbs, Ima Happy Cat set fractions of :21.89, :44.10 and :56.10, opened a commanding five-length advantage into the stretch, and held sway to the wire.

Trained by Dan Markle for owners Sue and Tim Spooner of Olympia, Ima Happy Cat paid 11.60 as third choice in the wagering. Ima Happy Cat now has three stakes wins at Emerald Downs, including the last two runnings of the Hastings Stakes.

Ima Happy Cat, a 6-year-old California-bred by Smiling Tiger, has an overall mark of 8-5-3 in 27 starts with earnings of $274,962. Thursday’s win was worth $27,500.

Daffodil Sweet, the 4 to 5 betting favorite, hesitated leaving the starting gate and never got untracked Thursday, losing for the first time in a sprint.

“The plan was to lay behind (Daffodil Sweet) but we broke on top, dropped down to the rail, and she ran a great race,” Couton said.

Squan’s Kingdom, the longest price on the board at 14 to 1, rallied from fifth to finish second under apprentice Joree Scriver. Killarney Lass, ridden by Eddie Martinez, finished third, and Coco Bee, Dontkissntell, Uno Trouble Maker and Daffodil Sweet rounded out the order of finish.

NOTES: Harbor the Gold has sired 69 stakes winners at Emerald Downs, far and away No. 1 on the all-time list. Slewdledo with 27 is a distant second. . .Total mutuel handle was $1,805,008 on the eight-race card. . . Blazingbellablu ($3.40) edged Only Danielle by a neck in a $20,350 maiden special weight for fillies and mares, running six furlongs in 1:10.19 for co-owners Charles Essex and Petra Lewin. . .The $0.20 Jackpot Pick Six carryover is up to $59,435. . .Couton and Alex Cruz rode three winners each Thursday. . .Cruz extended his consecutive days winning streak to 35. . .Trainer Rigoberto Velasquez was two for two Thursday, winning with Crest Drive ($6.80) and Pistol Power ($6.20). . .Live racing resumes Sunday with the 25th anniversary celebration including the $50,000 Auburn Stakes for 3-year-olds and $50,000 Seattle Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. First post 2:30 p.m.
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