7/12/2025
(Auburn, Wa) Saturday’s card officially marked the halfway point of the 51-day meeting. The feature race capped a big day for Jockey Kevin Krigger with his 3rd win of the day.
Racing continues Sunday, first post 1:50 p.m. and will sport another large on-track crowd with the annual Corgi races. If you are planning on attending on Sunday you may want to get there early and be prepared for warm temperatures.
The Numbers
For the 2nd day in a row the average field size per race was more than 8 at 8.1. There were a total of 73 starters over the 9 races for Saturday. It will be a challenge to hit 8 on Sunday with 72 listed starters it is exactly 8 for the 9 races but any scratches will drop it below the 8 mark.
The bettors laid out $1,401,302 in bets on Saturday for another solid betting day averaging $155,700 per race.
Krigger snaps cold streak
Kevin Krigger hit a slight cold streak after stretching at least a won a day for 17 consecutive days when he won the finale on Friday and then tripled on Saturday. Krigger won the 5th on Thirsty Nic by a neck then won the 7th also by just a neck with Let’s Go Champ. He finished off his 3-win day with a 2-length advantage in the feature race aboard Prisoner.
Castellanos gets 1st Emerald win(s)
Newcomer Adrian Castellanos broke through on Saturday with his first win in the 1st race aboard Don’t Have Another. At 4-1 Castellanos went wire-to-wire for his first winner’s circle picture. Castellanos wasn’t done yet and picked up his 2nd win in the 3rd with just a head difference on Roper. He just missed tripling when he took 2nd on 5-1 Union Harbor in the 5th which was Krigger’s first win on his way to 3 on the day.
The Kevin’s win 5
Simply betting Kevin on Saturday would have gotten you 5 winners with Kevin Krigger winning 3, Kevin Orozco kicked in another 2 for his 3rd win of the weekend. Although betting Orozco was more profitable. Orozco first struck in the 4th on Chad and Josh’s Adios Jojo at 8-1 with an easy 3+ length win. Orozco then won the 6th with a front running win on Stay N Lov by 3/4 of a length.
Orozco just missed tripling running 2nd in the 9th by a neck when his ride Cantputapriceonfun couldn’t get by front runner Glimpse of Gold ridden by Carlos Montalvo.
2-year-old fillies goes to experience
Veteran Isaias Enriquez was the other jockey to get a win on Saturday guiding 2-year-old filly Deep Desires to victory over 7 other challengers. Deep Desires was the only runner to have a race under her belt which turned out to be the difference. Enriquez broke well went to the front and won easily for trainer Frank Lucarelli.
Taking 2nd was an excellent from Bewitching Joy with Manny Americano up closing from last to be a clear 2nd and they only went 5-furlongs. Bewitching Joy was also the first career start for trainer Melissa Ledford.
And does Trainer Tom Wenzel and owner George Todaro need another young talented runner? Doesn’t matter because they probably have one in Scarlett Letter who took 3rd. Breaking from the very difficult 1 hole for 2-year-olds, jockey Carlos Montalvo put in the top trio, she looked to have a shot turning for home but she flattened out a bit and settled for a solid 3rd place run in her debut.
From the Barn
6 of the top 9 trainers all got wins on Saturday with Jorge Rosales as the only trainer to double. Rosales took the opener with Don’t Have Another and did run 2nd to complete the exacta with Rail Town running 2nd. Rosales then sent Stay N Lov to the winner’s circle in the 6th.
Also picking up wins were Justin Evans, Tim McCanna, Frank Lucarelli, Howie Gibson and Joe Toye.
Blaine Wright still leads in both wins and earnings with 17 wins and 333k. Evans is right behind with 16 wins followed by Rosales who is surged into 3rd with 15 wins. McCanna and Howie Gibson are tied for 4th with 14, Lucarelli is 6th in wins with 12 but 2nd in earnings at 217k. Tom Wenzel is 7th with 10 wins followed by Isidero Tamayo with 8 and Joe Toye picked up his 7th win.
Hot Owner and Trainer combo
The combination of owners WYN Racing and trainer Ian Jewell remained red hot winning their 5th race of the year with Let’s Go Champ. The team from BC is now 5-1-1 from 11 starts for a 45% win rate and 64% top 3 finish.
Owner/Trainer Sergio Perez also got his 5th win of the year with Roper in the 3rd race. Perez improved his reord to 5-6-2 from 45 starts.
Let’s get to the Saturday Races!
8th Race and Feature Race Muckleshoot Casino Resort Purse
Prisoner rebounded from a rare two-race winless streak Saturday at Emerald Downs, drawing clear for a two-length victory over long shot Whiskeyjack in the featured $23,000 Browne Family Spirits Purse for 3-year-olds and up.
With Kevin Krigger in the saddle, Prisoner ran six furlongs in 1:08.81 and paid $4.92 as the betting favorite. Justin Evans is the trainer for owners David Bernsen and Omar Aldabbagh, both of Las Vegas.
Prisoner stalked stable mate Joe Don Looney and Company’s Dream as the leaders set fractions of :21.93 and :44.60 for the quarter mile and half mile, forged to the front past mid-stretch, and had plenty left to hold Whiskeyjack safe in the final furlong.
A 7-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Violence, Prisoner now has 15 wins in 33 starts lifetime with career earnings over the $400,000 mark. His older brother, Wine At Nine, was a 19-time winner at Emerald Downs.
Whiskeyjack, a 19 to 1 shot widen by Carlos Montalvo, finished strongly to take second while Joe Don Looney, Manuel Americano riding, held third and gave Evans two of the top three finishers.
Rounding out the order of finish were Bluegrass Go Go, Tiger Too, Sir Greyson, Town Performer, and Company’s Dream.
Pay-Outs
8 Prisoner (Krigger) $4.92 $3.32 $2.20
4 Whiskeyjack (Montalvo) $12.06 $5.60
2 Joe Don Looney (Americano) $2.68
$1 Ex 8-4 $31.79
$1 Tri 8-4-2 $91.66
$1 Super 8-4-2-3 $618.40
$1 DD 1-8 $6.11
50-cent Pick (3) 2-1-8 $28.30
Race Replay
The rest of the Saturday’s races.
1st Race
Jockey Adrian Castellanos got his first win at Emerald Downs in the Saturay opener aboard 4-1 Don’t Have Another. Taking the lead at the half mile in the 6 1/2-furlong run the 3-year-old gelding never loolked back winning by 2 1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:17.55. Don’t Have Another races for Kevin Chavarria and trained by Jorge Rosales.
Favorite Rail Town ran 2nd with Manny Americano aboard, 10-1 Dungarvan Oak and Kevin Orozco took 3rd with 12-1 First Endeavor and David Haldar took 4th.
Claim: Dekudylan was claimed by Swag Stable or David Martinez trained by Martinez for $2,500.
Pay-Outs
5 Don’t Have Another (Castellanos) $10.24 $3.88 $2.96
8 Rail Town (Americano) $2.94 $3.24
3 Dungarven Oak (Orozco) $7.16
$1 Ex 5-8 $15.10
$1 Tri 5-8-3 $143.78
$1 Super 5-8-3-1 $748.80
Race Replay
2nd Race
A late scratch at gate with mostly 1st time starters in this 2-year-old filly race going 5-furlongs. The lone runner that had one race under her belt was Deep Desires with Isaias Enriquez up and they went straight to the ledad, szet all the fractions of 22.78 and 46.55 then pulled away for the 2+ length win in a final time of 58.50. Deep Desires races for Cinco Vino Stables and trained by Frank Lucarelli.
Bewitching Joy ran 2nd at 7-1 with Manny Americano up, Scarlett Letter and Carlos Montalvo ran 3rd at 7-2 and completing the superfecta was 6-1 Lotsa Kitty and Julien Couton.
Pay-Outs
2 Deep Desires (Enriquez) $6.24 $3.50 $2.92
8 Bewitching Joy (Americano) $6.70 $3.78
1 Scarlett Letter (Montalvo) $3.48
$1 Ex 2-8 $27.38
$1 Tri 2-8-1 $118.02
$1 Super 2-8-1-6 $412.50
$1 DD 5-2 $25.26 Consoltion 5-9 $4.93
Race Replay
3rd Race
8 older runners went 6-furlongs in the 3rd and a perfect stalking trip from Adrian Castellanos on 9-2 Roper got Castellanos his 2nd win in Auburn getting up by a neck to nail betting favorite Mister Midas and David Haldar. Roper is owned and trained by Sergio Perez in a final time of 1:09.76.
19-1 K R Rules and Carlos Montalvo took 3rd with 16-1 Pedal to the Metal finishing 4th under Kiaman McGregor.
Claims: Mister Midas was claimed by Lusk Racing and goes to trainer Howie Gibson for $8,000.
Pharoahs List was taken by Chavvaria-Delgado, Chavvaria and Rosales Racing and trainer Jorge Rosales for $8,000.
Pay-Outs
5 Roper (Castellanos) $11.20 $4.26 $3.20
4 Mister Midas (Haldar) $3.64 $3.02
7 K R Rules (Montalvo) $8.40
$1 Ex 5-4 $18.28
$1 Tri 5-4-7 $189.82
$1 Super 5-4-7-3 $926.30
$1 DD 2-5 $33.36
50-cent Pick (3) 5-2/9-5 $51.20
Race Replay
4th Race
The 3 longshots finished 1st, 2nd and 4th led by 8-1 Adios Jojo and Kevin Orozco. Orozco and Jojo sat behind the frontg pace and got 1st run turning for home in 6-furlong sprint and pulled away with a dominant 3 1/2 length victory in a final time of 1:09.46. 26-1 Big Bowie and Isaias Enriquez ran a big race to be 2nd, 9-5 2nd choice Goin’ South and Alex Cruz got up for 3rd and 9-1 Slew o’Mischief and Kiaman McGregor ran 4th.
Adios Jojo runs for Chad and Josh and was trained by Howie Gibson.
Pay-Outs
3 Adios Jojo (Orozco) $18.46 $11.14 $5.00
5 Big Bowie (Enriquez) $17.30 $7.14
2 Goin’ South (Cruz) $2.46
$1 Ex 3-5 146.47
$1 Tri 3-5-2 $426.40
$1 Super 3-5-2-6 $2,712.30
$1 DD 5-3 $51.00
50-cent Pick (3) 2/9-5-3 $163.34
50-cent Pick (4) 5-2/9-5-3 $867.35
Race Replay
5th Race
Kevin Krigger broke out of a mid-season cold streak on Saturday beginning with the 5th race aboard 5-2 Thirsty Nic with a well timed stalking trip. Krigger and Nic engaged 5-1 Union Harbor and Adrian Castellanos who was trying for his 3rd win of the day. Castellanos and Harbor couldn’t resist Krigger and Thirsty Nic who got the win by a neck covering the 6 1/2-furlongs in 1:18.12. Thirsty Nic races for Robert G. A. Jones and trained by Tim McCanna.
8-1 Pocket Knife and Kiaman McGregor ran 3rd with 5-1 Lady Mormont under Alex Cruz finished 4th.
Claimed: Thirsty Nic was tagged for $2,500 by Santos Rosales and goes to the Jorge Rosales barn.
Pay-Outs
6 Thirty Nic (Krigger) $7.34 $4.08 $3.08
3 Union Harbor (Castellanos) $6.00 $4.12
11 Pocket Knife (McGregor) $3.78
$1 Ex 6-3 $24.86
$1 Tri 6-3-11 $147.94
$1 Super 6-3-11-1 $531.20
$1 DD 3-6 $39.77
50-cent Pick (3) 5-3-6 $185.67
Race Replay
6th Race
Kevin Orozco picked up his 2nd win of the day with a front running effort with 5-1 Stay N Lov who set fractions of the mile run of 23.32, 46.36 and 1:11.44 while holding off the late charge of Deux Meres and Francisco Monroy to win by 3/4 of a length in a final time of 1:38.49. Stay N Lov races for Ramone Chavarria-Delgado and trained by Jorge Rosales.
10-1 Big Catty and Carlos Montalvo ran on for the show and 9-5 favorite Vhagar closed late but had to settle for 4th.
Claimed: Deux Meres was claimed for $5,000 by owner/trainer Candelario Villamar.
Pay-Outs
2 Stay N Lov (Orozco) $13.02 $7.76 $5.30
6 Deux Meres (Monroy) $16.58 $10.78
5 Big Catty (Montalvo) $8.34
$1 Ex 2-6 $112.05
$1 Tri 2-6-5 $913.88
$1 Super 2-6-5-4 $4,626.60
$1 DD 6-2 $37.47
50-cent Pick (3) 3-6-2 $197.49
50-cent Pick (4) 5-3-6-2 $1,535.69
Race Replay
7th Race
4-5 odds-on choice Let’s Go Champ and 9-2 Fortyshadesoftiger ran the 8-furlongs pretty much heads apart all the way around. At the 16th pole Kevin Krigger got a little more from Let’s Go Champ who edged away to win by just a neck. David Haldar got everything he could from Tiger but just fell short. Let’s Go Champ is trained by Ian Jewell and owned by the WYN Racing Stable.
6-1 Pure Cane Sugar and Manny Americano was a clear 3rd while 7-1 Drive Train made some progress from last to het up for 4th under Alex Cruz.
Pay-Outs
1 Let’s Go Champ (Krigger) $3.56 $2.88 $2.22
5 Fortyshadesoftiger (Haldar) $4.04 $2.54
4 Pure Cane Sugar (Americano) $2.80
$1 Ex 1-5 $6.73
$1 Tri 1-5-4 $7.73
$1 Super 1-5-4-7 $37.60
$1 DD 2-1 $16.64
50-cent Pick (3) 6-2-1/3 $38.17
Race Replay
9th Race
6-1 Glimpse of Gold with Carlo Montalvo went to the lead in this 6-furlong finale while fellow 6-1 Cantputapriceonfun and Kevin Orozco engaged the front runner immediately. The pair were head and head on the turn and at the top of the stretch and all the way to the finish line where Glimpse of gold just edged away for the neck victory in a final time of 1:12.93. Glimpse of Gold races for Terra Firma Too and trained by Joe Toye.
11-1 Peg’s Choice and Frank Alvarado ran hard for a close 3rd, 3-1 Harry’s Big Dream and Kevin Krigger closed late to be 4th and Loltsa Salita and Manny Amricano completed the Super High 5.
Pay-Outs
3 Glimpse of Gold (Montalvo) $15.40 $7.74 $5.34
6 Cantputapriceonfun (Orozco) $6.98 $5.32
7 Peg’s Choice $6.04
$1 Ex 3-6 $49.93
$1 Tri 3-6-7 $325.34
$1 Super 3-6-7-4 $1,452.70
50-cent Super High Five 3-6-7-4-9 no winner Carryover $1,615
$1 DD 8-3 $19.92
50-cent Pick (3) 1/3-8-3 $26.02
50-cent Pick (4) 2-1/3-8-3 $167.43
50-cent Pick (5) 6-2-1/3-8-3 $1,058.55
20-cent Pick (6) 3-6-2-1/3-8-3 (5 correct) $551.22 Carryover $2,341
Race Replay
