Leroi Victor posted the biggest upset of the season Friday night the in the featured CTS International Purse for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs.
Off at odds of 31.50-to-1, Leroi Victor out finished Inhoc Signo Vinces for a half-length victory under Gallyn Mitchell in 1 minute, 36 2/5 seconds for one mile on a fast track. Leroi Victor, whose only previous victory was almost two years ago at defunct Les Bois Park in Idaho, paid $65, $29.40 and $6.60.
The $2 win price topped the previous high of $62 set by Noble Juan on July 10.
Inhoc Signo Vinces, ridden by Miguel Perez, drew even with the winner past mid-stretch, but was out dueled in the final yards and settled for second place. Inhoc Signo Vinces paid $8.20 and $4.40.
Skyrider, the 2-to-1 betting favorite ridden by Ricky Frazier, rallied from last to finish third, three lengths behind the winner. Skyrider, a 9-year-old who was bidding for his 13th career victory at Emerald Downs, paid $2.80.
Icy Ridge finished fourth, followed by Platinum Katillac, Proud Nicholas, Pure Silver and Best Indy West.
Leroi Victor stalked Proud Nicholas through fractions of :23 2/5, :46 4/5 and 1:11 1/5, took command with a furlong to run, and then turned back Inhoc Signo Vinces for the victory.
A 4-year-old Washington-bred gelding by Smart Chip-Adoracion, Leori Victor has compiled a 2-3-3 record in 11 starts with earnings of $14,915. Chris Stenslie is the trainer for owners-breeders Cliff and Pat Larsen.
Leroi Victor only had one previous start this year, a third-place finish in a six-furlong race for non-winners of three races lifetime on July 2. The gelding was winless in five starts at Emerald Downs in 2009, but both tries at a mile were decent including a runner-up finish on Sept. 10.
Leroi Victory debuted with a maiden victory at Les Bois Park on Aug. 16, 2008, and finished third in that year’s $33,000 Thoroughbred Futurity at Elko, Neavda.
News and Notes
• 2009 Washington –bred Horse of the Year Reba Is Tops was scratched from Thursday’s allowance race at Del Mar due to a slight cold, but co-owner Gordy Jarnig said the 6-year-old He’s Tops mare will make the $75,000 Daisycutter Handicap at the seaside track on Friday, Aug. 13. Reba Is Tops was beaten a nose by Queen Of the Castle in last year’s Daisycutter, which is five furlongs on the Jimmy Durante turf Course… Leading rider Ricky Frazier hit the 70-win mark with a victory aboard O Seven ($4.80) in the second race.
• Vann Belvoir and Frank Lucarelli each saddled a winner and remain tied for first in the trainers’ standings with 38 wins apiece.
• Live racing continues Saturday with first post at 2 p.m. Festivities during the nine-race card include the 14th Annual Kent & Alan STAR 101.5 Wiener Dog Races.
