The razor-sharp Ernie Owl maintained his perfect in the money streak Friday night at Emerald Downs.
The 5-year-old Kentucky-bred scored his fifth victory of the year with a two-length triumph over Strawberry Topper in the featured $10,000 Parametrix Purse for older horses. Ernie Owl has finished first, second or third in all nine races this year including the last seven starts at Emerald Downs.
With Gallyn Mitchell riding his second winner of the night, Ernie Owl ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1 minute, 16 1/5 seconds on a fast track and paid $3.40, $2.40 and $2.10. Charles Essex is the trainer for owner John Chase.
Ernie Owl, 5-2-2 in nine starts this year with earnings of $36,510, swept past Bleu Tarp into the stretch and held off Strawberry Topper late for the triumph.
Strawberry Topper, ridden by Deborah Hoonan-Trujillo, offered a solid bid in the lane, but couldn’t get past Ernie Owl and settled for second place. Strawberry Topper returned $4.80 and $3.
Snake Attack, ridden by Kevin Krigger, ran evenly to finish third and paid $3.20. Flaming Bullet, Chickasaw Park and Bleu Tarp completed the order of finish. Chickasaw park, bidding for his 13th career win at Emerald Downs, was bumped at the start and failed to threaten.
Ernie Owl was reclaimed for $10,000 by trainer Mike Chambers, who saddled the gelding to four wins and a second in five starts before losing him via claim on July 16.
News and Notes
In one of the evenings’ most exciting races, Stellar Blue ($8) held off first-time starter and betting favorite Tasya by a nose after a stretch-long duel in the fifth. Tasya was the lone filly facing six colts in the $12,500 maiden claiming event for 2-year-olds…Second-race winner Absolutely Cool ($2.20) accounted for $40,498 of the $43,416 wagered in the show pool. The $2.20 win price was lowest of the meeting…
Ricky Fraziers’ string of five straight multiple- win days ended when he took off his mounts with a sore hip after riding Cougar Guy to a third-place finish in the opener…Tim McCanna became the first trainer to reach 50 wins when Havin a Good Day ($3.60) rallied for a narrow victory in the sixth….
McCanna added No. 51 in the nightcap as Baby Buckeye produced a $61.80 stunner under Inoel Beato. That result came one night after McCanna and Beato combined for a $40.80 upset with Luckyladylightning in Thursday’s feature race…The $61.80 payoff is second highest for a $2 win ticket at the meeting. La Valle Girl paid $71.20 in the third race Aug. 8.
NBA star and Seattle native Aaron Brooks of the Houston Rockets was on hand for Friday’s races at Emerald Downs.
Noosa Beach earned a career-high 99 Beyer Speed figure for his victory over Jersey Town in the $250,000 Longacres Mile (GIII) Sunday. Noosa Beach (15-9-3-2-$340,590) has been a study in consistency in six starts in 2010 for trainer Doris Harwood, earning Beyers of 90, 95, 97, 93, 95 and 99.
Kimmyv received an 86 Beyer for her $23.60 upset in the $75,000 Emerald Distaff…Noosa Beach has recorded the fastest times at six furlongs—1:07—and at 1 & 1/8 miles—1:48—at the meeting. However, stable mate Koala Beach ran the fastest mile—1:34 1/5—while winning the June 27 Pepsi-Cola Handicap.
Yet another Harwood trainee, Margo’s Gift, zipped the meet’s fastest 6 ½ furlongs—1:14—while winning an allowance/optional claiming event June 27.
Friday marked the 32nd anniversary of Bad ‘N Big, with 47-year-old Bill Shoemaker aboard, winning the 43rd running of the Longacres Mile.
Live racing continues Saturday with first post at 2 p.m.
Simulcast action includes the $1 million Travers from Saratoga and the $1 million Pacific Classic from Del Mar. The Grade I Pacific Classic includes Dakota Phone, co-owned by George Todaro of Seattle, and Awesome Gem, runner-up to Assessment in the 2009 Longacres Mile. Special first post time is 1 p.m. at Del Mar.
