Blame the Jockey wins feature race at Emerald Downs | Horse Racing

Blame the Jockey wore down the leaders and posted a half-length victory over Cat On Base in the $15,100 feature race for 3-year-olds in the special Wednesday matinee card at Emerald Downs. With Francisco Duran aboard, Blame the Jockey zipped six furlongs in 1 minute, 8 1/5 seconds and paid $12.60, $4.20 and $2.60. Frank Lucarelli is the trainer for owners Chris Randall of Bellevue, Wash. and Nick Rossi of Las Vegas.

September 22, 2010 11:43 pm

Blame the Jockey wore down the leaders and posted a half-length victory over Cat On Base in the $15,100 feature race for 3-year-olds in the special Wednesday matinee card at Emerald Downs.

With Francisco Duran aboard, Blame the Jockey zipped six furlongs in 1 minute, 8 1/5 seconds and paid $12.60, $4.20 and $2.60. Frank Lucarelli is the trainer for owners Chris Randall of Bellevue, Wash. and Nick Rossi of Las Vegas.

Cat On Base, ridden by Kevin Krigger, finished second and paid $4 and $2.60. It was the ninth straight in-the-money finish this season for the Harbor the Gold sophomore, who led through fractions of 21 3/5, 44 and 56.

Koala Beach, a multiple stakes winner ridden by Gallyn Mitchell, ran on late to finish third and paid $3.20.

Howmuchisit, the 8-to-5 betting favorite, pressed the pace to mid-stretch, gave way late and then fell while pulling up to unseat jockey Juan Gutierrez. Howmuchisit was vanned off and Gutierrez, who rode three winners on the card, appeared to escape serious injury.

Blame the Jockey had finished fourth in his previous two starts, both compromised by rough trips. Wednesday, the Texas-bred son of Posse raced just off the leaders as Cat On Base set a pressured pace. The winner rallied outside into the lane and gradually wore down Cat On Base, gaining the lead in the final yards.

Blame the Jockey has a 3-3-1 in 10 starts this year, and an overall record of 4-5-3 in 17 starts with earnings if $58,756.

News and Notes

Keith Ray of Kent won a trip to the Breeders’ Cup next month at Churchill Downs courtesy of Blame the Jockey’s victory in Gas Man’s Breeder’s Cup Purse…Angel’s Keep ($3) in the nightcap was the lone favorite to click on the eight-race card.

Duran and Juan Gutierrez rode three winners apiece.

Leading rider Ricky Frazier was off serving the first of a two-day suspension that continues through Friday.

Frazier leads Gutierrez 111-91 in the jockeys’ standings.

Leading trainer Tim McCanna was blanked and needs four wins in the final three days to break his single-season mark of 66 wins. McCanna has 13 horses entered closing weekend.

Live racing resumes Friday with first post at 6 p.m. It’s the final “Free Friday” of the season with free general admission to all fans courtesy of Washington’s horsemen.