Irish-bred Icy Ridge rallied for a dominant 6 ¼-length victory Saturday in the featured MultiCare Imaging Team Purse for older horses at Emerald Downs.
With Inoel Beato riding, Icy Ridge swept past the leaders on the last turn and drew off in the stretch to win in 1 minute, 35 4/5 seconds on a fast track. The winner paid $19, $9 and $4.80.
Skyrider, the 8-to-5 betting favorite ridden by Miguel Perez, was easily second and returned $3.40 and $2.80. It was 6 ½ lengths back to Platinum Katillac, who rallied from last under Jennifer Whitaker to finish third and paid $3.80.
Leroi Victor, who dueled with Scalding Passion through taxing fractions of 22 4/5, 45 2/5 and 1:10 3/5, faded to finish fourth, and was followed by Dirty Shirt, Pirates Deputy and Scalding Passion.
Claimed for $3,500 in his previous start Aug. 13—in which he was pulled up on the backstretch—Icy Ridge rebounded with a big performance on the class hike. Turned loose from sixth place on the backstretch, Icy Ridge inhaled the leaders with a quick move, reached the leaders midway on the last turn, and continued to pour it on late for his first win in four starts this season.
Trained by Rigoberto Velasquez and owned by Jerry Carmody of Ravensdale, Icy Ridge has a 6-2-4 mark in 26 starts with earnings of $112,056.
News and Notes
Leading rider Ricky Frazier received a two-day suspension (Sept. 4 ,5) for causing interference aboard Orange Sherbet in Thursday’s sixth race.
Frazier was off his mounts for a second straight day Saturday with a sore hip…Francisco Duran and Juan Gutierrez rode two winners each on the nine-race card.
Frazier still owns a comfortable 96-73 lead over Gutierrez in the jockeys’ standings…It was the second consecutive double for Duran, who joined Frazier, Gutierrez and Gallyn Mitchell as jockeys with 60 wins at the meet.
Beato’s three victories this week have paid $40.80, $61.80 and $19…Bill Tollett and Larry Ross led the trainers with two wins apiece.
Howard Belvoir and Jim Penney are both about to join Tim McCanna and Frank Lucarelli as trainers with 500 wins at Emerald Downs. Belvoir is at 499 wins while Penney recorded Emerald Downs victory 497 at EmD with Jebrica ($3.80) in the third race.
Why Ian ($33.20) broke his maiden in career start No. 17 in Saturday’s nightcap…Longacres Mile nominee Enriched ($6.40) won Saturday’s $250,000 Del Mar Mile (GII) on the turf with Joel Rosario riding.
Live racing continues Sunday with a stakes doubleheader for 2-yearolds. Colts & gelding race one mile in the $50,000 WTBOA Lads Stakes, and fillies race one mile in the $50,000 Barbara Shinpoch Stakes. First post is 2 p.m.
