Bijou Barrister became the meet’s second four-time winner Saturday with a three-quarter-length victory over Whitney Bridge in the $11,100 Mariners Ground Crew Purse at Emerald Downs.
With Inoel Beato riding, Bijou Barrister ran one mile in 1 minute, 37 seconds on a fast track and paid $7.20, $3.40 and $3. H.R. Pat Mullens is the trainer and co-owner with Ed Zenker and Swede Larson.
Whitney Bridge, ridden by Gallyn Mitchell, gained the lead into the last turn but was overtaken by Bijou Barrister in the stretch and settled for second. Whitney Bridge paid $4.60 and $3.20.
Starbird Road, ridden by Ricky Frazier, finished well inside for third and returned $4.
A 4-year-old Washington-bred by Tribunal, Bijou Barrister has won eight of his last nine starts, a streak that began last fall with a four-race winning streak at Portland Meadows. The gelding then won his first three starts this year at Emerald Downs, stretching his win streak to seven, before finishing second in a $17,500 claiming race July 3.
Dropped back down to the $10,000 level Saturday, Bijou Barrister made a wide rally around the second turn, engaged Bijou Barrister into the lane and gradually edged clear for the victory.
Bijou Barrister, 4-1-0 in five starts this season, joined Polish Dollar as the only horses with four wins at the meeting. Coincidentally, Polish Dollar finished seventh after pressing the early pace set by Honour the West and Whitney Bridge.
News and Notes
Dakota Phone ($11.40), owned in part by George Todaro of Seattle, prevailed in Saturday’s $200,000 San Diego Handicap (GII) at Del Mar…Robert Geller, the only announcer in Emerald Downs’ history, celebrated his 51st birthday Saturday…Trainer Petra Lewin (4-for-14) continued her low-volume, high-percentage meet as second-time starter Wheelhouse ($9.20) prevailed in the opener under Anne Von Rosen… Von Rosen rode two winners and has three wins the last two days. She just missed a third victory Saturday when Meggie’s Legacy was nosed out by Gabriela’s Locket ($28.60) in the nightcap…Live racing continues Sunday with Mile Preview Day, featuring the $50,000 Mt. Rainier Handicap for older horses at 1 1/8 miles and the $50,000 Boeing Handicap for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles. Noosa Beach is the 8-to-5 morning line favorite in the Mt. Rainer while California shipper Pretty Katherine is 5-to-2 in the Boeing.
