Taif forged to the lead past mid-stretch and then held off Zagreus for a neck victory in the $15,100 feature race Friday night at Emerald Downs.
With Francisco Duran riding, Taif ran six furlongs on a wet-fast track in 1 minute, 8 seconds and paid $7.80, $4.40 and $3.40. Dan Markle is the trainer for owners Sue and Tim Spooner, who recently acquired the 4-year-old gelding in a private sale.
The winning connections, jockey, trainer and owner, continued their recent hot streaks at Emerald Downs. Duran rode five winners last Sunday including a triumph on Posse Power in the Auburn Handicap. Markle has saddled four winners in the last three racing days including doubles Friday and last Saturday. The Spooners have three wins in the last three days, and their six wins rank No. 1 in the owners’ standings.
Zagreus, ridden by Juan Gutierrez, overcame a troubled trip to finish second and paid $4.60 and $3.80. Ugottabcatty, ridden by Robert Burney, finished third and paid $4.20.
Noble Juan, Olympic Lights, Emancipated, Chickasaw Park and Inhoc Signo Vinces completed the order of finish. Westsideclyde was scratched.
Taif has raced at different tracks in all five of his career starts, a ledger that includes two wins, one second and one third. He raced most recently at Keeneland, where he finished third in a $30,000 claiming race on April 7. The Florida-bred by Concorde’s Tune earned $8,305 to boost his total to $30,415.
News and Notes
• Ernie Owl ($3) made it four straight wins and two straight this season at Emerald Downs with a 1:07 1/5 clocking in the fifth race under Ricky Frazier. The time is just one tick off the track record shared by Atta Boy Roy and Noosa Beach.
• Ricky Frazier and Robert Burney rode two winners each on the seven-race card.
• Burney’s second triumph was in the nightcap on Humongous ($20.20) for 85-year-old trainer Don Munger, who is off to a hot 3-for-7 start at the meet…Live racing continues Saturday with first post at 2 p.m. Simulcast action includes Atta Boy Roy in the $100,000 Aristides Handicap at Churchill Downs. Approximate post time is 1:30 p.m. (pacific) for the Grade III at six furlongs.
• Gallant Son drew the No. 3 post-position in Monday’s $250,000 Shoemaker Mile at Hollywood Park. Hall-of-Fame jockey Mike Smith has the mount in the Grade I event for trainer Frank Lucarelli. Compari, who will be heavily favored, drew the No. 10 post.
