8/12/2023
(Auburn, WA) This Sunday is Championship Sunday at Emerald Downs with 4 Stakes races all in a row from the 5th to the 8th race capped off with the $150,000 Longacres Mile. The sequence is the $50,000 Distaff begins it all in the 5th followed by The Muckleshoot Derby with a purse of $50,000 in the 6th race. The 7th is the $50,000 Washington Oaks and then the Granddaddy of the all the 88th running of the Longacres Mile.
There will be a special All-Stakes 50-cent pick 4 bet. Last year the All-Stakes pick 4 paid an all-time State record of $67,847. The Oaks began the series last year and Tiz a Macho Girl with Jake Samuels won the race by 6 1/2-lengths at 21-1. Up next was the Distaff and Zippen Sevenz with Alex Cruz lit up the tote board at 23-1. However those 2 finishes could be considered favorites compared to the Muckleshoot Derby winner, You’re the Cause and Javier Matias blew up the tote at 56-1. Slew’s Tiz Whiz then won the Mile at 3-1 as the 2nd favorite but the damage had been done in the 1st 3 legs and 1 single ticket cashed the pick 4 for 67k+.
It’s highly doubtful that will happen again but there are certainly plenty of chances for some upsets in each race. Below is a preview of each Stakes race with a lot of help from the Emerald Downs Media Director Vince Bruun and then we have our own picks for each Stakes race and put together our Pick-4 ticket.
$50,000 EMERALD DISTAFF
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 2023 (Race 5, 4:16 p.m.)
28th RUNNING, FILLIES & MARES, 1 1/16 MILE
Track & State Record: 1:39 3/5, Kid Katabatic (5), July 26, 1998
Stakes Record: Previous distance 1M (1996-2006), 1 1/8 M (2007-2019)
Most Wins
Horse: 2, Fleet Pacific, 2000, 2001
Trainer: 3, Jerry Hollendorfer (Secret Corsage, 2005; Gemstone Rush, 2007, Lemon Kiss, 2008)
Jockey: 4, Juan Gutierrez (Infernal McGoon, 2002; Elusive Horizon, 2009; Class Included, 2012; Alittlelesstalk, 2020)
Owner: 2-tie, Northwest Farms (Elusive Horizon, 2009; Stopshoppingdebbie, 2014) Rocking B Thoroughbreds (Fleet Pacific, 2000-01) Highlander Racing Stable (E Z Kitty, 2013; Citizen Kitty, 2017)
Track Condition: fast 25, sloppy 2
Favorites: 11-27 Odds-on: 4-6
Largest $2 Win: $49, Zippin Sevenz (2022)
Smallest $2 Win: $2.40, Stopshoppingdebbie (2014)
Average Field Size: 8.1 (largest 10, 1996 & 2017; smallest 4, 2012)
Gate to wire: Fleet Pacific (2000-01), Elusive Horizon (2009), Stopshoppingdebbie (2014), Perhaps a Pie (2016)
Smallest Win Margin: head, Pleas Write (1996)
Largest Win Margin: 8 ¼ lengths, Queenledo (2006)
Owners Hometowns
1: Nan Elizabeth (10) Luciano Medina Gabriel, Hayward, CA
2: Blazingbellablu (8/5) Charles Essex, Granite Falls, WA; Petra Lewin, Centralia, WA
3: Brilliant Bird (30) Luanne Bean, Norco, CA
4: Tiz a Macho Girl (2) Steve and Letha Haar, Puyallup, WA
5: Our Lyla Grace (7/2) Code Four Stable (Roy Brewer, Yelm, WA)
6: In the Red (30) Purple Rose Ranch (M.L. Pierce, Phoenix, AZ)
7: Daffodil Sweet (6) One Horse Will Do Corp. (Jody Peetz, Issaquah, WA)
2023 Older Fillies & Mares @ Emerald Downs
June 25: $50,000 Hastings Stakes, Blazingbellablu ($8.80) 6F 1:08.27 73 Beyer
July 23: $50,000 WA State Legislators Stakes, Our Lyla Grace ($30) 6 ½ F 1:15.38 68 Beyer
Aug 13: $50,000 Emerald Distaff, 1 1/16 M
Sept 17: $50,00 WA Cup Filly & Mare Stakes (S), 1 1/16 M
2022 EMERALD DISTAFF WINNER: Zippin Sevenz ($49) Alex Cruz/Alan Bozell/Mike Phillips/1 1/16 M/1:42.15
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$50,000 MUCKLESHOOT DERBY
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 2023 (Race 6, 4:48 p.m.)
86th RUNNING, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILE
Track & State Record: 1:39 3/5, Kid Katabatic (5), July 26, 1998
Stakes Record: Previous distance 1 1/8 & 1 3/16 M
Most Wins (including Longacres Derby)
Trainer: 3-tie, Frank Brewster, Bud Klokstad, Bill McMeans, Bob Meeking, Jim Penney, Mike Puhich, Glen Williams, Blaine Wright
Jockey: 3-tie, Lennie Knowles, Joe Baze, Pedro Alvarado & Ricky Frazier
Owner: 2-tie, Dorothy Brewster, Dino Lozzi, Ron Crockett
Statistics (1996-2021 @ EmD)
Track Condition: fast 26, wet-fast 1
Favorites: 6-27 Odds-on: 1-5
Largest $2 Win: $115.60, You’re the Cause, 2022
Smallest $2 Win: $3.60, Prime Engine, 2015
Average Field Size: 8.6 (largest 12, 2005, 2006; smallest 5, 2017)
Gate-to-wire winners: You’ve Got Action, 1997; Flying Notes, 2002; Saratoga Boot, 2010; Makors Finale, 2012; Riser, 2017; Gold Crusher, 2020
Largest Win Margin: 11 ¼ lengths, Flying Notes, 2002
Smallest Win Margin: head-tie, Winning Machine, 2009; Opportunistic, 2016; Top Executive, 2021
Winner bred: Kentucky 11, Washington 9, British Columbia 2, Arkansas 1, Florida 1, Maryland 1, Texas 1, Ohio 1
OWNERS HOMETOWNS
1: Mangia Pane (50) Luigi DiPietro, Seattle WA
2: Lloyds Logic (5/2) Dr. George Todaro, Seattle, WA
3: Prince Abu Dhabi (7/5) Lance Kinross, St. George, UT; Steve Kinross, St. George UT
4: Langston Road (12) Blaine Wright, Enumclaw, WA; Cherie Wright, Renton, WA
5: Kahala (30) Oak Crest Farm (Jack Hodge, Enumclaw, WA)
6: Royal Halo (15) Steve Zerda, Seattle, WA
7: Ohwhatarush (30) Anne Wisdom, Ravensdale, WA
8: Deshambeau (5) Mike Hill, Kingman, AZ
9: J C’s a Legend (12) Two Putts for the Win (Dean Mazzuca, Renton, WA); Lucarelli Racing Corp. (Frank Lucarelli, Enumclaw, WA); Aaron Bresko, Seattle, WA
10: Jin Tong (8) Wayne Williams, Vancouver, WA; Joe Toye; Yakima, WA
2023 EmD 3YO COLTS & GELDINGS SERIES
June 18: $50,000 Auburn Stakes, 6 Furlongs/Clovisconnection ($3.60) 6F 1:07.59 80 Beyer
July 16: $50,000 Irish Day Stakes, 6 ½ Furlongs/Clovisconnection ($3.40) 6½F 1:14.73 76 Beyer
Aug 13: $50,000 Muckleshoot Derby (3yo), 1 1/16 Mile
2022 Muckleshoot Derby: You’re the Cause ($115.60) Javier Matias/Debbie Van Horne/WilWin Stable, 1 1/16 M/1:43.53
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$50,000 WASHINGTON OAKS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 2023 (Race 7, 5:20 p.m.)
44th RUNNING, 3-YEAR-OLD FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILE
Track & State Record: 1:39 3/5, Kid Katabatic (5), July 26, 1998
Stakes Record @ 1 1/16 M: 1:41.12, Princess of Cairo (3), Sept. 3, 2020
Statistics 1996-2022 @ Emerald Downs
Most Wins
Trainer: 3-tie, Grant Forster (Youcan’ttakeme, 2003; Bianconi Baby, 2004; A Classic Life, 2005)
Larry Ross (Ever Lasting, 1996; Zenovit, 2010; Belle Hill, 2015) Tom Wenzel (Rivoltella, 2007; Stopshoppingdebbie, 2013; Princess Kennedy, 2016)
Owner: 2-tie, Michael and Amy Feuerborn (A Classic Life, 2005; Class Included, 2011) Northwest Farms (Elusive Horizon, 2008; Stopshoppingdebbie, 2013)
Jockey: 3-tie, Ricky Frazier (A Classic Life, 2005; She’s All Silk, 2006; Zenovit, 2010) Gary Baze (Crossatyourownrisk, 2000; Graceful Cat, 2001; Youcan’ttakeme, 2003) Leslie Mawing (Class Included, 2011; Lady Fifty Two, 2014; Belle Hill, 2015) Rocco Bowen (Stopshoppingdebbie, 2013; Princess Kennedy, 2016; Little Dancer, 2017)
Largest Winning Margin: 9 ½ lengths, Flirtacious Girl (August 21, 1999)
Smallest winning margin: nose, Princess Kennedy (July 24, 2016)
Track: fast 25, wet-fast 1, sloppy 1
Favorites: 9-27 Odds-on: 8-18
Gate-to-wire: 9-27
Largest $2 Win: $45, Tiz a Macho Girl, August 14, 2022
Smallest $2 Win: $2.80-tie, Youcan’ttakeme (2003), No Flies On Doodle (2009), Stopshoppingdebbie (2013)
Winner bred: Kentucky 18, Washington 6, Florida 1, Maryland 1, British Columbia 1
OWNERS HOMETOWNS
1: Jamies Inhereitance (15) Richard Rennie, Boise, ID
2: Stepup (12) Jimmy Hammonds, Lakewood, WA; Cleveland Hammonds, Tacoma
3: Aloha Breeze (6/5) Dr. George Todaro, Seattle, WA
4: Dads Estrella (10) Alvarez Racing Stables (Federico Alvarez, Prescott Valley, AZ)
5: Yogya (10) Fleur De Lis Stable (Raymond Kwik, Spokane, WA; Paul Goldberg, Westport, CT)
6: Avanti Leah (20) Primo Posto Racing (Michael Pagliarini, Seattle, WA)
7: Carmel By the Sea (5/2) Exline-Border Racing (Ryan Exline, Solana Beach, CA; Justin Border, Paso Robles, CA); Burns Racing (Michael Burns, Rancho Mirage, CA)
8: Driveway (30) Joe Burke, Renton, WA
9: Pepper Mill (12) Roys Mansur, Camp Verde, AZ
10: Young Life Laura (20) Sergio Perez, Fresno, CA: Joe Abrahamson, Wellpinit, WA; Filos Stable (Nick Leisos, Bellevue, WA)
2023 3-YEAR-OLD FILLIES SERIES
June 18: $50,000 Seattle Stakes, 6 Furlongs/Aloha Breeze ($3.20) 1:08.72, 71 Beyer
July 16: $50,000 Kent Stakes, 6 ½ Furlongs/Aloha Breeze ($2.40) 1:14.77, 75 Beyer
Aug 13: $50,000 Washington Oaks, 1 1/16 Mile
2022 WA Oaks Winner: Tiz a Macho Girl ($45) 1 1/16M/1:42.17 Jake Samuels/Jeff Metz/Saratoga West & Steve and Letha Haahr
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$150,000 LONGACRES MILE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 2023 (Race 8, 6pm)
88th RUNNING, 3-YEAR-OLDS & UP
Track, State & Stakes Record: 1:32.90, Point Piper (6), 118 lbs, August 14, 2016
Most Wins
Horse: 2-tie, Stryker Phd (2014-2015), Simply Majestic (1988-1989), Trooper Seven (1980-1981), Amble In (1946-1948)
Trainer: 5, Jim Penney (Silver Mallet, 1973; Theologist, 1977; Edneator, 2000; Sabertooth, 2002; Flamethrowintexan, 2006)
Jockey: 5, Gary Baze (Trooper Seven, 1980-81; Chum Salmon, 1985; Judge Angelucci, 1987; Adventuresome Love, 1993)
Owner: 5, Bob Hutchinson (Campus Fusser, 1941; Lavengro, 1942; Prince Ernest, 1945; Kings Favor 1967; Steel Blade, 1968)
Favorites: 34-87 Odds on: 6-16
Favorites @ EmD (1996-2022): 8-27 Odds-on @ EmD: 0-3
Track condition: fast 76, sloppy 5, good 2, muddy 2, slow 2
Largest $2 Win: No Giveaway $122 (2005)
Smallest $2 Win: Judge Angelucci $2.60 (1987)
Average $2 Win: $13.20
Largest field: 16 (1935,1st Running)
Total starters 1935-2022: 964 Average field size: 10.9
Gate-to-wire winners: 18
Largest win margin: 6 ¼ lengths, Sky Jack (2003)
Smallest win margin: nose-multiple, most recent L.J. Express (1995)
OWNERS HOMETOWNS
1: A Man’s Man (20) Remmah Racing (Howard Hammer, Stanwood, WA)
2: Arma d’Oro (20) Anne MacLennan, Vancouver, BC; Len Strandley Jr., Auburn, WA;
Estate of Glyn Kelly
3: Zestful (12) Stable H.M.A. (Mark Dyer, Scottsdale, AZ)
4: You’re the Cause (30) WilWin Stable (Robert Wilmot, Renton, WA)
5: Seattle Bold (8) Peerenboom Racing Stables (Craig Peerenboom, Maple Valley, WA)
6: Il Bellator (6) Theresa & Edward DeNike, Kent, WA
7: Five Star General (2) Elttaes Stable (Ken Alhadeff, Seattle, WA)
8: Top Executive (15) John & Janene Maryanski, Auburn, WA; Gerald & Gail Schneider, Auburn, WA)
9: Slew’s Tiz Whiz (9/5) Slew’s Crew Racing (Roy and Tammy Brewer, Yelm, WA; Tom and Melissa Wenzel, Tacoma, WA; Terry and Mary Lou Griffin, Buckley, WA; Jodee Snyder, Oak Harbor, WA)
10: Exclusive Speaker (20) Michael Radovich, Lake Stevens, WA
Our selections and Pick-4 Ticket
The Distaff
1st Blazingbellablu 8-5 Alex Cruz
Blazingbellablu probably should be 2-0 in Stakes races this year but hopped to a slow start in her last then had to go wide and just missed beating Our Lyla Grace who got the dream trip on the rail to get up and nose out Bella. Bella loves this track as well and regular rider Alex is coming in on a heater should be tough to beat.
2nd Daffodil Sweet 6-1 Isaias Enriquez
I may be crazy for dismissing the hottest Stakes trainer on the grounds Tom Wenzel who has not 1 but 2 runners who could easily win but talkin about teachin an old dog new tricks, trainer Marshall Allen got Daffodil Sweet to the winners circle in a tough allowance race by stalking. She sat 6th early 4th at the top of the stretch and came from between runners to get the win. Isaias fits her perfectly might be the upset winner.
3rd Our Lyla Grace 7-2 Jose Zunino
I have to pick one of Wenzel’s runners in the top 3 and be warned the 2-1 Tiz A Macho Girl who won the Oaks last year won’t surprise me if she ends up in the winner’s circle again but I gave the 3rd place selection to Grace who has had Zunino on her every time and together have scored 6 wins from 13 starts and has been 1st or 2nd 8 times with a pair of 4ths so the consistency is amazing and she will be flying at the end.
The Muckeshoot Derby
1st Jin Tong 10-1 Alex Anaya
Here’s my big upset of the 4 races. Two back Jin Tong ran a big race from just off the pace at 8-1 to win an allowance race. Trainer Joe Toye then put him in the Irish Day Stakes and while all the focus was on the top 2 in Clovisconnection and Lloyds Logic, Jin Tong ran a big race at 6 1/2 and was closing on the top pair finishing 3rd 2 1/2-lengths behind. Clovisconnection is not in this race and Lloyds Logic is the 5-22nd M-L favorite behind shipper Prince Abu Dhabi at 7-5. Jin Tong is going to like the 1 1/16-miles and I do hope the 10-1 sticks or floats up even higher.
2nd Lloyds Logic 5-2 Jose Zunino
Lloyds Logic will have to be dealt with as he sports a 2-3-1 record from 7 starts and is coming off a pair of seconds so it won’t surprise me to see him right back at the front battling for the win. He won last year’s Gottstein at 1 1/16 last year by more than 7 lengths so he can get the distance. Will be tough to deny.
3rd Royal Halo 15-1 Kevin Orozco
Royal Halo is another longshot as I think this race is the most likely to see some big prices come flying in. Royal Halo is one of three starters for Frank Lucarelli in this one with Deshambeau at 5-1 looking like his best chance coming off a big allowance win. But Royal Halo beat Deshambeau in his 2nd start of the season and then ran 4th in back to back stakes races and was right behind Jin Tong in the Irish Day Stakes running 4th just 4 lengths behind. I can see Royal stepping it up another notch here.
Washington Oaks
1st Aloha Breeze 6-5 Carlos Montalvo
Plain and simple this is gonna take a Herculian effort for someone to upset this beast. She is 3-0 this year winning all 3 races including the Seattle and Kent Stakes by a combined 19 lengths. Carlos knows what to do in the saddle, if she doesn’t win then many the pick 4 could pay huge. I’m guessing 80% of the pick 4 bets will single this little lady and for good reason.
2nd Carmel by the Sea 5-2 Alexander Chaves
Blaine Wright ships this one in from Pleasanton where she is coming off a game effort finishing 2nd at 1-mile 70-yards in an optional claiming event at 50k. The issue for this one is she has 1 win and 4 seconds which gives her an advantage in running in a race for 2nd.
3rd Stepup 12-1 Alex Anaya
Stepup is 1-2-2 from 6 starts this year and finished 2nd to the top pick in the Kent Stakes. For her career she is 2-2-2 from 7 starts and is in the hunt for a placing each time she runs. Would be one to try and get some value out of this race which I think is the most likely to go to the favorites.
The 88th Longacres Mile
1st Slew’s Tiz Whiz 9-5 Jose Zunino
Man I am torn, if Five Star General runs like recent form and no one applies pressure on him jockey Joe Bravo will likely be able to wire the field but Slew look so good in the Governor’s and doesn’t have to drop all the way to the back Zunino knows him so well and will likely have him sitting 5th about 5 lengths behind. Traffic is the biggest issue and he won’t have to get completely shut down but forcing him to simply hesitate may be all that the General will need to fend him off in deep stretch. If Slew wins he will be only one of a few to win back-to0-back Mile’s so like winning back-to-back Super Bowls it doesn’t happen that often. But breaking from the 9 hole will allow Zunino to sit wherever he wants and stay out of traffic so I give the nod to Slew’s Tiz Whiz.
2nd Five Star General 2-1 Joe Bravo
Pro and Con: Pro, Five Star General gets a seasoned, veteran rider in Joe Bravo to come up from southern California to ride him. Con, this will be Bravo’s 1st ride at Emerald not even an undercard ride to get the feel. Pro, trainer Grant Forster is more than familiar with Emerald beginning his career here and has one this race with the biggest longshot in Mile history, No Giveaway at 60-1. Con, Forster hasn’t been here in some time and that local knowledge might not be the same. Pro, Five Star General has been converted to a front runner and Emerald Downs is known as a front speed favoring track. Con, the past few weeks speed has been fading and runners have been coming from off the pace with several last to 1st winners. In the end, Five Star General could become the 1st horse in Mile history to place 1st, 2nd or 3rd in 4-straight miles and I don’t see how he isn’t going to do that and very well could do it with his 1st Longacres Mile win.
3rd Top Executive 15-1 Silvio Amador
If the top 2 falter don’t be stunned if this one comes flying down the outside to pick up all the pieces. Top Executive loves this track, Blaine Wright knows how to win on this track especially Stakes races, Silvio Amador is red hot right now and this team is coming off a big allowance win back on July 23rd giving him 3 weeks off to avoid the bounce. Top Exec is 6-1-0 from 11 starts at Emerald Downs so when he’s ready to fire he wins here and he’s ready to fire 55% of the time on the Auburn oval.
Our Championship Sunday Pick 4 Ticket
5th Race: 2-4-5-7
6th Race: 2-3-4-6-8-10
7th Race: 3
8th Race: 7-8-9
Total Cost for 50-cent bet is $36
One other Pick 4 bet will be the all Tom Wenzel Pick 4. Could a trainer actually sweep all 4 races? If it’s gonna happen this could be the year so my all Wenzel Pick 4 ticket:
5th Race:
4 Tiz A Macho Girl 2-1
5 Our Lyla Grace 7-2
6th Race:
2 Lloyds Logic 5-2
7th Race:
3 Aloha Breeze 6-5
5 Yogya 10-1
8th Race:
9 Slew’s Tiz Whiz 9-5
Total Cost for 50-cent bet is $2 but we will buy 10 times for a $20 wager.
Total bet is $56
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