7/20/25

(Auburn, WA) Sunday was another Super Stakes Sunday with 5 Stakes races being contested. There were supposed to be 6 on Sunday but ironically the Irish Day Stakes had to be postponed a weeek to Sunday, July 27 when there were only 4 entries. They expect to have more for next Sunday.

Below is our coverage with help from the Emerald Downs Media office of Vince Bruun and Gary Dougherty. Also thanks to photographer Wayne Nagai for his great pictures.

We’re going to start with the 9th race, the final prep race for the Longacres Mile set to be run on August 17. Then we will cover the Stakes races in the order they ran. Our re-caps of races 1-5 will then follow our Stakes coverage.

Let’s get to Super Stakes Sunday #2!

9th Race The Governor’s Stakes   $50,000 Purse

Displaying his patented late kick, Slew’s Tiz Whiz exploded in the stretch and powered home to a three-length victory in Sunday’s $50,000 Governor’s Stakes for 3-year-olds and up, one of five stakes on Sunday’s 10-race card.

With Julien Couton aboard at 121 lbs., Slew’s Tiz Whiz covered the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:14.62 and paid $6.44 as second betting choice. Capping a brilliant Sunday, Tom Wenzel saddled the winner for the ownership syndicate Slew’s Crew Racing.

Jockey Julien Couton says this trip was a lot cleaner than his 2nd start of the year in the Budweiser Stakes on June 22nd. Couton says the race was really won right at the break. “Slew broke so good, last time he started a little flat footed and being only 6 furlongs just ran out of track. Today he was out clean got into a good spot. On the turn I had to make a choice he likes the rail so I stayed inside. At the 1/8th pole when that hole opened up my eyes got huge and I knew the party was over. I am privileged to ride him. This was special it is my 1st stakes win in quite some time. He is just the best.”

Remarkably, it was the fourth straight Governor’s victory for Slew’s Tiz Whiz, tying the mark held by Handy N Bold, and his sixth stakes win overall, tying him with stable mate Aloha Breeze for most Emerald Downs’ stakes victories by an active horse.

A 7-year-old Washington-bred by Slew’s Tiznow, Slew’s Tiz Whiz earned $27,500, upping his bankroll to past $373,472, and continuing the excellent form that earned back-to-back Washington Horse of the Year titles in 2022 and 2023 and a victory in the 2022 Longacres Mile.

Far back as usual, Slew’s Tiz Whiz bided time as Papa’s Golden Boy led through splits of :21.55, and :43.81, gathered momentum inside on the turn, angled out slightly into the lane, rallying between Papa’s Golden Boy and Chuckanut Bay in upper stretch and flew home for the victory.

Wenzel won three stakes on the day, tying Blaine Wright’s track record, and moved up to No. 2 all-time with 64 stakes wins at Emerald Downs.

Positivity, recently claimed in California, also rallied from the back of the back of the pack and took second place at odds of 5 to 1. Bearings, off at odds of 22 to 1, was up for third, while Moneyshot, dismissed at 26 to 1, finished fourth.

Despite running 2nd, jockey Kevin Krigger was pleased with Positivity’s run in his first try over the Auburn oval. “My horse ran a big race but I think he’s going to want to go longer. Plus we had a bit of a wide trip and when Slew got through inside of me I knew he was going to be tough to catch. This was a really good race for Positivity and I think puts him in a great spot going into the next race.”

Clovisconnection, the slight betting choice at 2 to 1, moved into contention in mid-stretch, but gave way to finish fifth. In four previous starts at Emerald Downs, Clovisconnection had three stakes wins and a close second in the 2024 Longacres Mile.

Rounding out the order of finish were Chuckanut Bay, Papa’s Golden Boy, Hockey Dad, and Tougherthantherest.

The Governor’s is the final local steppingstone to the $125,000 Longacres Mile, with the 90th running set for Sunday, Aug. 17.

Pay-Outs
6 Slew’s Tiz Whiz (Couton)  $6.44  $4.02  $3.08
5 Positivity (Krigger)   $6.60  $4.86
9 Bearings (Cruz)  $7.34
$1 Ex  6-5 $19.33
$1 Tri 6-5-9 $325.24
$1 Super 6-5-9-2 $1,626.20
$1 DD 7-6 $10.61
50-cent Pick (3) 1-7-6 $10.38

Race Replay

6th Race The King County Express $50,000 Purse

The 2-year-old gelding Blackberry Jam in contention from the start took control on the turn and crossed the finish line 1 3/4 lengths to the good in the $50,000 stakes race. It was the first stakes victory at Emerald Downs for jockey Kiaman McGregor. “I was hoping for a day like this.”

We talked with McGregor and he was pretty confident coming into the race, “I knew he was sitting on a big race and when he broke so well I was feeling good from the start.”

We asked if he was concerned with the early pressure of Lead the Charge and McGregor said he was confident the whole trip. “Turning for home we were sitting on the shoulder of the inside horse and I knew I had a lot of horse left and he didn’t give in. It’s hard to believe this was only his 2nd race of his career.”

Trainer Ry Harwood was very emotional in the Winner’s Circle as he paid credit to his wife Jo and dedicated the win to her. The final clocking for the 5 1/2 furlong dash was 1:03 2/5.

Finishing second was Lead the Charge and the big favorite Cantcatchthiscat (4/5) wound up third. Trainer of Lead the Charge, Blaine Wright, was pleased with run of Lead the Charge in his 2nd career start. Wright said, “with the babies you just open the gate and see where they go and Silvio (Amador) handled him exactly how I wanted him too. It looks like maybe he started to tire a little bit in the final yards but really happy how he competed today.”

The next 2-year-old stakes race will be contested on Longacres Mile Day, August 17.

Pay-Outs
5 Blackberry Jam (McGregor)  $10.24  $5.62  $2.52
2 Lead the Job (Amador)  $4.68  $2.24
3 Cantcatchthiscat (Enriquez)  $2.10
$1 Ex  5-2 $20.07
$1 Tri 5-2-3 $24.58
$1 Super 5-2-3-4 $141.70
$1 DD 5-5 $14.65
50-cent Pick (3) 5-5-5 $51.61

Race Replay

7th Race Washington Legislators Stakes $50,000 Purse

Continuing her reign as one of the top fillies and mares in track history, Aloha Breeze added another chapter to her storied career Sunday with a front-running two-length victory over Lapush in the $50,000 Washington State Legislators Stakes.

Under regular rider Carlos Montalvo at 123 lbs., Aloha Breeze covered the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.46, returning $2.86 as the prohibitive betting favorite. Tom Wenzel saddled the winner for Dr. George Todaro of Seattle.

Breaking from the No. 1 post, Aloha Breeze dominated from the outset, setting fractions of :22.16, :44.46, and 1:08.73, enroute to her sixth stakes victory at Emerald Downs, tied with Slew’s Tiz Whiz most of any active horse.

An Emerald Downs champion at ages 2. 3, and 4, Aloha Breeze won for the 11th time in 17 career starts and boosting her bankroll to $281,580. Her Emerald Downs’ record is a sparkling 9-2-0 in 13 starts with earnings of $235,570.

A 5-year-old mare by The Factor, Aloha Breeze became the first two-time winner in the 29-year history of the Washington State Legislators Stakes.

For Wenzel, it’s his record seventh win in the Legislators including three for Todaro (Kikisoblu, 2015; Aloha Breeze, 2024-2025). Todaro, who also won Sunday’s Angie C Stakes with Falling Leaves, tied Ron Crockett for No. 3 all-time with 18 stakes wins at Emerald Downs.

We talked with Wenzel after the race and said he was feeling good about Aloha’s chances on Sunday. “I was feeling pretty good about her chances today, actually 6 1/2-furlongs is her best distance. Carlos knows her so well and when 22.17 popped up on the board I didn’t think anyone could catch her.” She’s just such a special horse.”

Lapush, also trained by Wenzel, was a clear second and is 5-1-1 in 10 career starts for owner James Carlin. A 4-year-old filly by West Coast, Lapush was Emerald Downs’ champion sophomore filly of 2024, a campaign highlighted by a victory in the Washington Oaks.

Wenzel was just as pleased with the effort from LaPush, “I couldn’t possibly have asked for more from LaPush. She ran her heart out.”

We also talked with jockey Julien Couton who said it was a great performance, “I just got beat by a better horse but I am so proud of how my filly ran she did everything right. We just had no chance of running down her teammate. She broke a really good I wanted to take her back a little more but she wasn’t having it and she finished strong. Great run.”

Brookys Star and Smiling Lady, both trained by Isidro Tamayo, finished third and fourth while Chai and Shocking Grey dead-heated for fifth.

Next for older fillies and mares is the $50,000 Emerald Distaff at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 17. Aloha Breeze won the 2024 Distaff by a record 11 lengths.

Pay-Outs
1 Aloha Breeze (Montalvo)  $2.86  $2.30  $2.10
4 LaPush (Couton)  $4.66  $2.90
5 Brookkys Gal  $3.10
$1 Ex 1-4 $4.52
$1 Tri 1-4-5 $12.14
$1 Super 1-4-5-2 $51.70
$1 DD 5-1 $17.44
50-cent Pick (3) 5-5-1 $27.36
50-cent Pick (4) 5-5-5-1 $114.79

Race Replay

8th Race The Angie C Stakes

It seemed like it was all over after the first 10 seconds of the race.

Falling Leaves (2/1) burst to the lead and opened up many lengths throughout, winning the $50,000 Angie C. Stakes with ease. The 2-year-old filly opened up a 4-length lead early and built it to eight lengths on the turn and was 5 1/4 lengths ahead of Code of Valor at the wire. The Kentucky-bred is trained by Tom Wenzel and she is owned by George Todaro. The Kentucky-bred which was purchased for $45,000 at the Keeneland Yearling Sale of 2024, is now a perfect 2-for-2.

Falling Leaves covered the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04. We talked with jockey Carlos Montalvo who said Falling Leaves is clearly a special horse and despite going a quick 21.28 quarter Montalvo was not concerned about going too fast. “I just had so much horse under me I never felt not in control.” Montalvo knew it was over at the quarter pole with the closest competitor, Code of Valor and Isaias Enriquez were 6 lengths behind.

Montalvo said, “it’s hard to believe she could have improved as much as she did after her big win in her debut. She was all business and after the quick start settled in a little bit in that second quarter and when she hit the stretch it was over.”

Empire Bella nosed out Candy Creek for third in the race that had nine runners. Wenzel has now won the Angie C three times – Exclusive Diva (2011) and Goin to the Window (2012).

We also talked with Isaiah Enriquez after a solid outing andc a clear 2nd in a talented field. Enriquez said, “She broke so good it kinda startled me. She did everything I asked her but that’s a pretty good winner in front of me. This face felt more like her 1st one and we were a clear 2nd. Really proud of her effort today.”

Whiskey High, the 9/5 favorite, checked in a disappointing sixth. The next stakes race for the 2-year-old fillies will be on Longacres Mile Day, August 17.

The Angie C. Stakes is dedicated to the Emerald Downs founder Ron Crockett’s mother. We asked Crockett what this race means to his family. Crockett said, “My Mom never missed a day of racing at Emerald Downs and supported me in my effort when we needed to save racing. This race means the world to me and is a great way to celebrate my Mom’s legacy, It’s important to me.”

Crockett was happy owner George Todaro won the Angie C, “It was great to see George win this race. He’s basically my neighbor and he was a big part of Emerald Downs from the start. He has been a huge supporter and has made a big impact on the history of Emerald Downs. I’m really happy for him.”

Pay-Outs
7 Falling Leaves (Montalvo)  $6.02  $3.66  $3.08
5 Code of Valor (Enriquez)  $8.60  $5.08
6 Empire Bella (Haldar)  $10.66
$1 Ex 7-5 $26.00
$1 Tri 7-5-6 $429.94
$1 Super 7-5-6-1 $1,549.50
$1 DD 1-7 $5.51
50-cent Pick (3) 5-1-7 $25.96

Race Replay

10th Race The Kent Stakes   $50,000 Purse

Displaying the form made her 2024 Horse of the Meeting, Precise Timing held off Ima Margarita Girl and scored a neck victory in Sunday’s $50,000 Kent Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

Ridden by Francisco Monroy at 118 lbs., Precise Timing swept to the lead past mid-stretch and fought off Ima Margarita Girl in the final furlong, stopping the clock in 1:16.08 for 6 ½ furlongs. Kay Cooper is the winning trainer for Blue Ribbon Racing 23, a syndicate headed by Debbie Pabst of Buckley, Wash.

The victory atoned for the only misfire in Precise Timing’s brief career, a fifth in her season debut May 25. The only horse in track history to begin a career with three consecutive stakes wins, Precise Timing improved to 4-0-0 in five starts with earnings of $119,330.

A Pabst homebred by Dialed In-Peaceful Nation, Precise Timing has four strakes wins: Angie C (2024), WTBOA Lassies (2024), Washington Cup Juvenile Fillies (2024), Kent (2025).

Monroy picked up the ride after regular rider Kevin Orozco was injured during an off day when he cut his foot that required stitches. Monroy had worked Precise Timing and does regular work for trainer Kay Cooper. Monroy was ready to jump in and knew that P-T was sitting on a big run. We talked with Monroy on his 1st Stakes win at Emerald Downs.

Ima Margarita Girl, ridden by Kevin Krigger, held second at odds of 8 to 1, while Saleen G T, the 2 to 1 betting favorite ridden by Isaias Enriquez, was 2 ¼ lengths back in third.

Rounding out the order of finish were Race a Roany, Princess Fave, Maximum Sparkle, Beauty Bark, Her Blind Side, and Sapello Sonrisa.

Next for 3-year-old fillies is the $50,000 Washington Oaks at 1 1/16 miles on Sunday, Aug. 17.

Pay-Outs
5 Precise Timing (Monroy)  $22.80  $10.78  $6.00
4 Ima Margarita Girl (Krigger)  $9.34  $5.10
7 Saleen G T (Enriquez)  $2.98
$1 Ex 5-4 $91.07
$1 Tri 5-4-7 $287.70
$1 Super 5-4-7-9 $2,004.60
Super High Five 5-4-7-9-8 $16,309.62
$1 DD 6-5 $37.80
50-cent Pick (3) 7-6-5 $104.59
50-cent Pick (4) 1-7-6-5 $150.20
50-cent Pick (5) 5-1-7-6-5 (5 correct) $837.67
50-cent Pick (6) 5-5-1-7-6-5 (6 correct) $421.94  Carryover $10,959

Race Replay

The rest of the Sunday Card

1st Race

In the Sunday opener a late scratch of JC’s a Legend at the gate left 6 to go 1-mile. Right Hand Ryder and Alex Cruz broke from the outside and waited patiently while the front speed set pretty quick fractions of 22.30 and 44.85. Cruz and Ryder dove to the inside turning for home and caught Creative Om to win by more than a length in a final time of 1:37-flat. Right Hand Ryder races for Ramon Chavarria-Delgado, Kevin Chavarria and Rosales Racing F1 and trained by Jorge Rosales.

Creative Om and Adrian Castellanos held well to be 2nd, It’s Turbo threatened and then flattened out for 3rdn under Kevin Krigger while Pedal to the Metal and Kiaman McGregor finished 4th.

Pay-Outs
7 Right Hand Ryder $9.44  $4.56  $2.94
1 Creative Om (Castellanos)  $5.24  $3.06
5 It’s Turbo (Krigger)  $2.34
$1 Ex 7-1 $31.11
$1 Tri 7-1-5 $84.02
$1 Super  7-1-5-6 $232.10

Race Replay

2nd Race

#2 Gran Senor Del Oro was a late scratch at the gate leaving 7 to go a mile. 1-2 favorite Golden Affair was last heading into the far turn when Kiaman McGregor swung wide, came roaring down the outside to just catch Code Breaker and Frank Alvarado by a head at the finish line in a final time of 1:39.15. Golden Affair races for Randall and Rossi LLC, Gary Hughes and Lucarelli Racing and trained by Frank Lucarelli.

Code Breaker finished 2nd in a heartbreaking loss, Chasin A Dollar with Alex Cruz ran an even 3rd and Hunting for Gold and Manny Americano took 4th.

Pay-Outs
1 Golden Affair (McGregor)  $3.14  $2.16  $2.10
5 Code Breaker (Alvarado)  $3.10  $2.48
8 Chasin a Dollar (Cruz)  $2.72
$1 Ex 1-5 $3.59
$1 Tri 1-5-8 $7.60
$1 Super 1-5-8-3 $16.30
$1 DD 7-1 $13.39  Consolation DD 7-2 $5.25

Race Replay

3rd Race

Cap It Daddy was a late scratch leaving 7 to go 6 1/2-furlongs and 5-2 Nastika’s Secret with a stalking trip from Manny Americano came firing on the outside to corral the early speed and pull away from the rest of them to win by 2 lengths in a time of 1:16.67. Nastika’s Secret is owned by Dr Rodney Orr and trained by Howie Gibson.

Mr. Executive and Francisco Duran ran 2nd and Duran claimed foul at the top of the stretch but the Stewards denied the claim. Tigersun and Pablo Castillo put in a solid effort for 3rd with Sawtooth Bow completing the top 4 finish.

Pay-Outs
7 Nastika’s Secret (Americano)  $7.06  $3.86  $2.76
5 Mr Executive (Duran)  $3.07 $2.50
2 Tigersun (Castillo)  $4.00
$1 Ex 7-5 $8.69
$1 Tri 7-5-2 $65.36
$1 Super 7-5-2-6 $284.00
$1 DD 1-7 $5.52  Consolation DD 1-1 $1.26
50-cent Pick (3)  7-1/2-7 $40.88

Race Replay

4th Race

After an early scratch of the likely post time favorite #3 Mor Tequila made this a wide open affair and pace setter Mister Mafioso with Silvio Amador almost got there but couldn’t deny the 10-year-old closer El Alto Hombre with a nicely timed ride from Akatsuki Tomita to get the win in a time of 1:09.06 for 6-furlongs. El Alto Hombre is owned and trained by Liz Kowalski.

Awesome Move under Javier Matias got up and just missed 2nd to finsish 3rd and Manny Americano took 4th on Roll Dem Bones.

Pay-Outs
5 El Alto Hombre $10.36  $5.44  $3.26
6 Mister Mafioso (Amador)  $5.82  $4.14
2 Awesome Move (Matias)  $3.02
$1 Ex 5-6 $23.21
$1 Tri 5-6-2 $75.46
$1 Super 5-6-2-1 $156.00
$1 DD 7-5 $39.86
50-cent Pick (3) 1/2-7-5 $23.06
50-cent Pick (4) 7-1/2-7-5 $309.85

Race Replay

5th Race

Blazing Peme had to get a rider change with Kevin Orozco still out nursingan injury and trainer Tena Birdwell was pleased to see the leading rider without a ride and got Kevin Krigger to jump on for the 6-furlong run. Krigger did not disappoint with a perfectly timed ride to catch front speed Square Cat and Adrian Castellanos in the final 50 yards to win the Irish Day purse in a final time of 1:10.03. Blazing Peme is owned by Scott Herbertson.

Square Cat was a clear 2nd with late closing Sunny Spot and Carlos Montalvo getting up by a neck for 3rd over Amanofmystature and Manny Amricano.

Pay-Outs
5 Blazing Peme (Krigger)  $5.48  $2.80  $2.14
1 Square Cat (Castellanos)  $2.26  $2.14
7 Sunny Spot (Montalvo) $3.76
$1 Ex 5-1 $4.97
$1 Tri 5-1-7 $19.06
$1 Super 5-1-7-8 $53.90
$1 DD 5-5 $15.29
50-cent Pick (3) 7-5-5 $46.49

Race Replay

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