Dah Gift sprinted to the early lead and held on tenaciously for a 2 ¼-length victory Thursday in the $10,400 Stanislaw Ashbaugh Purse for 3-year-old fillies at Emerald Downs.

Dah Gift—the longest price on the board—ran six furlongs in 1 minute, 10 3/5 seconds and paid $40.40, $10.20 and $7.20. Ridden cleverly by Matt Hagerty, Dah Gift took the early lead – a position she had never occupied in her 10 previous

races – and set fractions of 22 1/5, 45 and 57 1/5 seconds. She shook clear into the lane, and then easily held off the late rally by Martimatic.

Martimatic, the 7-5 betting favorite ridden by Rick Frazier, closed inside to finish second and paid $3.40 and $2.60. The consistent Roxy Skylar, ridden by apprentice Cassie Papineau, ran another good race to finish third and paid $5.20.

Claimed for $7,500 in May, Dah Gift registered her first victory for her new connections—trainer Jim Nunnally and owner John Chase – and earned $5,720 for her efforts. Overall, the Washington-bred by Polish Gift has a 3-1-2 record in 11 starts with earnings of $26,369.

Track notes:

• Robert Burney had his first two-win day at Emerald Downs including a $44.80 score aboard Continental Flyer in the second race.

• Leading rider Ricky Frazier rode three winners – all favorites – and upped his season total to 122 wins. Frazier needs 35 victories in the final 23 days to tie his own track record of 157 wins set in 2007. It was the 40th multiple win day for Frazier – including one five – win day, seven four-win days, 10 three win days and 21 two win days.

• Tim McCanna saddled two winners and Doris Harwood one winner and are tied for first in the trainers’ standings at 47 wins apiece.

• On a night when favorites won five of eight races, long shots had their moments as both Continental Flyer and Dah Gift prevailed as the longest shot on the board.

• Racing continues Friday with first post at 6 p.m.