Highdleburg turned back all challengers Friday evening and posted a major upset with a 1 ¾-length victory in the $10,000 Johnsonville Purse for older horses at Emerald Downs.
Ridden by Kevin Krigger, Highdleburg ran six furlongs in 1 minute, 9 3/5 seconds on a fast track and paid $47, $15.60 and $7. Larry Wolf is the trainer for Vic-Tory Stables VI, the syndicate headed by Victor “The Predictor” Cozzetti.
In fact, Cozzetti and Vic-Tory Stables X came right back to win the nightcap with Larrythestableguy ($9.40), and the Wolf, Cozzetti, Vic-Tory Stables late $2 daily double paid $156.80.
Highdleburg’s win price was the biggest since May 14 when Bouncin Boomer registered a $55.80 victory in the second race. A 4-year-old Washington-bred gelding by Petersburg, Highdleburg is 2-for-4 this season and 4-for-12 overall. The $5,500 winner’s share upped his earnings to $22,505.
Maltese Tiger, the 2-to-1 second choice ridden by Anne Von Rosen, finished second and paid $4.20 and $3. Amante Mio, a 26-to-1 long shot ridden by apprentice Pedro Terrero, finished third and paid $5.60. Polo Bender, the 9-5 betting favorite, finished seventh and had his four-race winning streak snapped.
Breaking from the outside post, Highdleburg sprinted to the early lead and dueled with Polish Dollar through fractions of :22 and :44 3/5, then put away So Whatabout and Polish Dollar into the stretch, and drew clear late.
Krigger, who recently returned to Emerald Downs after a four-year absence, recalled good success when riding for Cozzetti. “Every time he puts me on one, we’re having a (post-race) interview in the winner’s circle,” Krigger said.
News and Notes
Jockey Matt Hagerty was off his mounts for a second straight day with a mouth infection.
Veteran conditioner Alan Bozell picked up his first win of the meet and his 50th victory at Emerald Downs as Maker Happy ($2.60) romped by 14 ½ lengths in the Friday opener.
Trainer John Holmes also broke into the victory column as I Am the Jazzman ($6.20) scored in the third race for LTD Stables 001.
Live racing continues 2 p.m. Saturday with a nine-race card.
