Erasing all doubt over distance limitations, You Me and Ema B atoned for her only career defeat with a two-length victory Saturday in the $50,000 Boeing Handicap for older fillies and mares at Emerald Downs.
Ridden by Deborah-Hoonan-Trujillo at 117 pounds, You Me and Ema B ran one mile in 1 minute, 37.48 seconds on a fast track and paid $16, $7.60 and $5. Margo Lloyd is the trainer and co-owner with Patrick Hoonan of Bonney Lake, Wash. Patrick Hoonan is the father of Deborah Hoonan-Trujillo.
Front-runners dominated the Boeing as You Me and Ema B took over from Sis’s Sis on the last turn, kicked 2-½ lengths clear past mid-stretch, and held her pace rival safe to the wire.
Sis’s Sis, Juan Gutierrez riding at 118 pounds, held second place and paid $6.40 and $4.60.
It was a half-length back to Rewritten, the 3-to-1 betting favorite ridden by Leslie Mawing at 118 pounds, and a $2.80 show payoff.
Sweet Nellie Brown finished fourth, followed by Hard Way Ten, Zenovit, Dream Sweeper, Eyes On the Prize and Fifie’s Fantasy.
A 4-year-old Washington-bred by You and I, You Me and Ema B joined Noosa Beach as horses with two stakes wins at the 2011 meeting. Winner of the May 15 Hastings Handicap at 10-1 odds, You Me and Ema B ran 11th in the June 12 Washington State Legislators Stakes won by Summers Peace, and Saturday marked her first race farther than 6-½ furlongs. The $27,500 first prize bumped her earnings to $72,765, with an overall record of 4-0-0 in five starts.
Hoonan-Trujillo said the biggest issue was the distance, but that she was pleased to be in second as Sis’s Sis led through fractions of :23.02 and :46.30.
“I was happy with the No. 1 post –position because when your horse has speed it can be an advantage,” she said. “We weren’t sure if she could run the distance, but I ‘m an eternal optimist, so when Margo (Lloyd) wanted to know if she could make it, I said ‘yes.’
“(You Me and Ema B) looks like a sprinter, but she is very efficient. It was a blessing that (Sis’s Sis) took the lead in the first turn. It allowed my horse to relax on the outside, which is what she likes better. Once we took the lead, I thought we had it won. She is just too hard to pass.”
In the $0.50 Pick 5, for a second straight day there were no tickets with five winners and the carryover to Sunday is $8,422.
NOTES: Although the Lucarelli-trained Rewritten was third in the Boeing, he had better luck in Sacramento where Ivor and Jack Jones’ Washington-bred mare Point of Reference prevailed in the $75,000 California State Fair Sprint Handicap. Ridden by Inoel Beato, Point of Reference ($4.60) ran six furlongs in 1:10.42 and pushed her career earnings to $288,137.
At Hastings Racecourse, meanwhile, Wando Woman ($5.60) ridden by Frank Fuentes rallied to defeat Classic Alley Kat in the $50,000 Strawberry Morn Handicap, also for older fillies and mares. Both Point of Reference and Wando Woman are possible for the $65,000 Emerald Distaff at 1 1/8 miles on Sunday, Aug. 21.
Mawing’s third-race victory aboard Eltoninadress extended his consecutive days winning streak to a season-high 13 straight.
Mawing leads Joe Crispin 64-56 in the Thoroughbred standings, followed by Gutierrez with 52 wins and Hoonan-Trujillo with 50. Gutierrez and Hoonan-Trujillo rode two winners each on the eight-race program.
Apprentice jockey Lance Bullock rallied Vegas Flyer form last place for a $30.20 upset in the fourth race. It was the second time this week the 19-year-old Bullock scored with the longest shot on the board. Thursday, Out of Harbor notched a $57.20 victory in the eight race with Bullock riding.
The track was listed sloppy for races one and two, good for three and four, and fast for five through eight…Live racing continues Sunday with first post at 2:15 p.m. featuring the $50,000 Seattle Slew Handicap for 3-year-olds and the $50,000 Kent Handicap for 3-year-old fillies.