The classy 9-year-old Starbird Road, in the final race of his career, held off Bijou Barrister for a half-length victory Saturday in the $10,000 feature race for older horses at Emerald Downs.

With Ricky Frazier riding his third winner of the day, Starbird Road ran one mile in 1 minute 35 4/5 seconds on a good track and paid $6.40, $3.60 and $3.80. Larry Ross is the trainer for owners Rick Beal and assistant trainer Sharon Ross.

A tearful Sharon Ross said in the winner’s circle that Starbird Road would race no more. The Washington-bred by Count the Time-Mia F. Eighteen finished with a 12-5-4 mark in 29 starts with $198,697 in earnings. A four-time stakes winner, Starbird Road was voted Top Sprinter and Top Washington-bred at the 2006 Emerald Downs meeting.

“He did what we asked him to, and he overcame a lot of obstacles,” Ross said. “It’s time for him to go home.”

Frazier complimented the owners, and also mentioned the hard work of jockey Deborah Hoonan-Trujillo, the rider on Starbird Road in all of his biggest wins.

“It’s awesome the way they’re going to retire the horse a hundred percent sound,” Frazier said. “It’s why I love Washington racing. I’ve been all around the country, and the owners and trainers here do the right thing.”

Claimed for $25,000 from his third career start on Aug. 22, 2003, Starbird Road went on to win the Seattle Handicap in 2006 and ’07, as well as the 2006 Governor’s Handicap and the 2006 Chinook Pass Sprint.

The final victory wasn’t a cakewalk, however. After disposing of Youhadyourchance on the last turn, Starbird Road was given a fresh challenge by Bijou Barrister, a tough 4-year-old gelding with four wins at the meet and eight victories in his last 11 starts.

Starbird Road and Bijou Barrister hooked up into the lane, but Starbird Road proved too tough and held sway to the wire. The winner set fractions of :22 1/5, :46 2/5, 1:10 4/5 and 1:23 en route to the victory.

Bijou Barrister, with Inoel Beato riding, paid $3.20 and $3.20.

It was a half-length back to Platinum Katillac, who closed nearly 15 lengths to finish in third place. Ridden by Jennifer Whitaker, Platinum Katillac paid $5.20.

Skyrider, R Samurai, Leroi Victor and Youhadyourchance completed the order of finish.

Frazier’s three wins pushed his season total to 110 wins with five days remaining in the 90-day season. It was the 11th day with at least three wins this season.

News Notes

Frazier withdrew his appeal and will serve a two-day suspension Wednesday, Sept. 22 and Friday, Sept. 24. The suspension was levied for a riding infraction aboard Orange Sherbet in the sixth race Thursday, Aug. 26.

First-time starter Win Photos Will Do, owned in part by track photographer Erin Palmer, rallied for a $15.80 upset under Kevin Krigger in the second race.

In the seventh race, Champali Lace ($20) came off the bench to score an eight-length victory in 1:08 4/5 for six furlongs. Last seen winning by 3-½ lengths opening night (April 9), the 3-year-old Champali filly was ridden by apprentice Jorge Rosales for trainer Junior Coffey…Ross and Charles Essex saddled two winners each.

Juan Gutierrez rode two winners and is second with 88 wins…Pedro Terrero scored on Bou’s Shadow ($4.40) in the nightcap and has an outside chance to break the single-season apprentice mark of 70 wins. He needs 10 wins in the final five days for the record.

John & Janene Maryanski’s Gadget Queen, stakes placed twice this season at Emerald Downs, scored a 2 ½-length victory Saturday in a $28,000 optional claimer on the turf at Golden Gate Fields. Leslie Mawing rode Gadget Queen ($14.60) for trainer Blaine Wright.

Live racing continues Sunday with a 10-race card at 2 p.m. Assessment is the 3-to-5 morning line favorite in the $21,500 allowance race at one mile.