Hayjax, racing for the first time since October, blitzed a good field of 3-year-olds Friday in the $9,800 Dreyers Purse under the lights at Emerald Downs.
With Joe Crispin aboard for his third win of the night, Hayjax ran 5-½ furlongs in 1:03.08 on a fast track and paid $9.20, $3.40 and $3.20.
Breaking from the No. 1 postposition, Hayjax rushed to the lead, set fractions of 21 4/5 seconds, 44 3/5 and 56 3/5, and had plenty in the stretch to hold off the favored Seattle Sniper. The official winning margin was 3-¼ lengths.
Seattle Sniper, the 4-5 betting favorite ridden by Juan Gutierrez, rallied well to finish second in his 2011 debut, and paid $2.40 and $2.20. The son of Strong Hope was stakes placed three times last year, and might have been the second best juvenile male at Emerald Downs behind Couldabenthewhisky.
Come Away Home, a 6-1 shot ridden by Pedro Terrero, finished third in his Emerald Downs debut and paid $2.60. Win Photos Will Do, Marvin’s Magic, Top Banker Al, Buckle and Stellar Blue completed the order of finish.
A 3-year-old California-bred colt by Souvenir Copy, Hayjax has a 2-1-0 record in six starts with earnings of $22,845. In his previous start at Golden Gate Fields last fall, Hayjax had good early speed in a race won by Grade I winner Comma to the Top.
CLIFF’S SECRET WINS A CLIFF-HANGER
In the third race, a $13,800 purse for $20,000 claiming fillies and mares, Cliff’s Secret came off a nine-month layoff for a hard-earned one-length victory over My Untamed Heart in 1:02.33 for 5 ½ furlongs.
It was the fourth victory in five career starts for the 5-year-old mare, which began her career at the maiden $5,000 level last May. Juan Gutierrez rode Cliff’s Secret for trainer Jim Penney and owners Michael and Amy Feuerborn.
The two favorites—Cliff’s Secret at 1-1 and My Untamed Heart at 6-5—dueled nearly the entire race, with My Untamed Heart holding a slim lead after four furlongs in a rapid :43.97. Cliff’s Secret, on the inside, pushed to the lead past mid-stretch and edged clear.
NOTES: Kafwain Secret M D ($7.20) and Bumpy ($21.20) produced the meet’s first dead-heat for win in the second race, as the two geldings hit the wire in 1:04.98 for 5 ½ furlongs.
Hunch players prevailed in the opener as Charlesisnoprince ($2.60) romped in the first race under Crispin. The Oregon-bred gelding is by Ochoco-Lady Camilla.
Leslie Mawing also rode three winners, including a victory on Unitilifindyou ($2.60) in the nightcap as the Howard Belvoir-trained 4-year-old became the meet’s first two-time winner.
McCanna saddled two winners and leads both Howard Belvoir and Vann Belvoir by a 7-6 margin in the trainers’ standings.
Crispin leads Mawing 12-11 in the jockeys’ race…Jose Luis-Zunino rode his first two winners of the season including the dead-heat on Kafwain Secret M D…Live racing continues Saturday with first post at 2 p.m.
Simulcast activity includes opening night at Churchill Downs, one week out from the 137th Kentucky Derby. Travelin Man is the 7-to-5 morning line pick in the $200,000 Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial (G3) for 3-year-olds.
Hayjax cruises to victory in the Friday feature at Emerald Downs | Horse Racing
