8/16/2025
(Auburn, WA) Saturday was a busy day at Emerald Downs with the Washington State Hall of Fame induction ceremonies (we’ll have a complete story later this week on all 4 inductees.) and the two Quarterhorse Stakes to begin the card.
The Numbers
The 8 race card was a little shallow on starters and with only 6 thoroughbred races the bettors did not flock to this card and ended with the only sub 800k handle of the year.
There was a total of 62 starters for a 7.75 average per race but 19 of those were quarter horses and the average starters for the thoroughbreds was 7.2 but half of the 6 sported 6 horse fields.
The total handle was $799,069 and is also the first day with an average per race handle of under 100k at $99.884.
However, the other 2 Super Stakes Sunday’s both handled more than 2 million dollars. Tomorrow’s Championship Sunday could push the handle over 3-million with 11 races on the card. Certainly, should be at least 2.5 million.
Lady’s Day
Three women picked up their 1st wins of the season on Saturday and both did it with front running efforts and boxcar odds. In the 6th race, 1st time starter Shes Vals Barkley broke well for jockey Alex Cruz and just kept gpoing winning by more than 2 lengths.
Shes Vals Barkley was the first win of the year for trainer Anne Wisdom who has a small stable and best known for her horse It’s Kraken Time. It was also the 1st win for owner/breeder Krystal Demoney-Hendrickson as both owner and breeder, not only for this yesar but for her career.
Then in the 8th race, jockey Allyssa Morales on just her 6th mount of the season and came in without a top 3 finish went wire-to-wire on 33-1 Poker Alice in the final race of the day also winning handily by more than 3 lengths. Owner/Trainer Sergio Perez was in disbelief as he met Morales and Alice in the winner’s circle.
Oh and of course, both Shes Vals Barkley and Poker Alice are fillies making it a true ladies day!
Figueroa Returns
Jockey Cerapio Figueroa who rode here during the weird covid year came back to ride on Saturday. Figueroa came in to ride a pair of runners in the quarter horse Championships and then picked up a couple of thoroughbred mounts. Figueroa didn’t get in the winner’s circle but made an impact with a 3rd place finish in the John Deere stakes on 6-1 Gangster on Da Run missing 2nd by a neck.
He then missed a win in the 3rd race by a neck riding Pole to Pole for leading trainer Jorge Rosales. They settled for 2nd in a tight photo finish. His other two mounts he finished off the board.
Jockey’s Race
There were 6 thoroughbred races and 6 riders got wins. Kevin Krigger hit win #60 and pushed his lead over Manny Amricano back to 6 as Americano would get shut out.
David Haldar snapped a bit of a cool streak with a nice win in the 4th aboard Wreckless Rhett. Adrian Castellanos continues to show he is a rider to be dealt with winning #13 aboard Move Over since coming here in early July. Silvio Amador, who is going to have to sit out 2 days of racing next week for a DQ last week is trying to finish strong before having to his mini vacation and got a win in the 7th on Pop Chart.
And as mentioned above, Alex Cruz and Allyssa Morales brought home to big stunners in the 6th and 8th races.
Trainer’s Battle
The run to become the 2025 top trainer grew a little tighter with only one of the top 8 conditioners getting a win and that was Blaine Wright. Wright notched win #23 and trails Jorge Rosales and Justin Evans. Heading into Championship Sunday here are the top 8 trainers:
1. Jorge Rosales 26
2. Justin Evans 24
3. Blaine Wright 23
4. Frank Lucarerlli 19
5. Tim McCanna 19
6. Howie Gibson 17
7. Tom Wenzel 15
8. Isidro Tamayo 11
These are the only trainers with 10 or more wins.
The other winning trainers on Saturday included Victor Trujillo (6), Miguel Hernandez (7), Anne Wisdom (1), Elodio Madrigal (2) and Sergio Perez (7).
The Betting Window
The tote board was lit up on Saturday with 23-1 Shes Vals Barkley winning the 6th under Alex Cruz paying $49.70 on $2 win. This was just a warm-up as 33-1 Poker Alice and Alyssas Morales took the 8th race with a new $2 high pay of the season of $69.70. The $30.84 place pay was 2nd and just the 2nd $30+ place pay of the year.
Poker Alice combined with 23-1 Libby’s Gambit with Cruz aboard for the highest $1 exacta pay of the year by far at $641.10 or 640-1. The trifecta is a new high pay as well at $1,249.91. The 10-cent superfecta pay of $1,337.28 is not a new season high. There was a 2k 10-cent pay in May.
The surprise was the horizontal pays were also big with the pick 3 paying a new top pay of $1,57837. The pick 4 was actually lower than you would have thought with 3 winning tickets paying $4,487.24, about $700 short of the top 2025 pay.
There were 3 carryovers from Saturday with the pick 5 not being hit, carrying over $6,093, the pick 6 will start with $6,038 in the pot and the Super High 5 $10,780.
An upset or two on Championship Sunday could put up some more big pays.
Let’s get to the Saturday Races!
1st Race (QH) The John Deere/Emerald Downs Stakes Purse $52,294
Jess F Y I was the 3-5 betting favorite and ran like the bettors predicted breaking a step slow but still in 2nd and quickly bursting to the lead and pulling way for a clear 1 1/2-length dominating win covering the 350 yards. Under perfect handling from jockey Jaime Lopez, Jess F Y I finished in a final time of 18.19.
The battle was for 2nd with 19-1 Camila Girl under Manuel Garcia got the head down in front of 6-1 Gangsta on Da Run with Cerapio Figueroa riding and was clear of 4th place finisher 42-1 Flyin Summer and Sergio Dominguez.
Jess F Y I races for Michael McKay and trained by Hector Magallanes. Jess F Y I remains undefeated with his 4th career win and earning $24,300. The win pushes his career earnings to $62,200.
Jess F Y I, a 2-year-old geldng, is an Oregon bred by Gold Heart Eagle V out of Time to Splash Bac by Splash Bac and was bred by Michael and Shannon McKay.
Pay-Outs
3 Jess F Y I (Lopez) $3.36 $2.66 $2.30
4 Camila Girl (Garcia) $10.82 $5.74
10 Gangsta on Da Run (Figueroa) $3.66
$1 Ex 3-4 $15.92
$1 Tri 3-4-10 $113.06
$1 Super 3-4-10-6 $1,501.70
Winner’s Circle Ceremonies with Joe Withee
Race Replay
2nd Race (QH) AQHA/Emerald Downs Championship Challenge Stakes Purse $58,152
Controversy was the theme in the 2nd Quarter Horse Championship of the season when 4-5 odds-on choice A Famous Ribbon pulled out a win by just a head over 10-1 Shaundas Eagle who was just a 1/2 length in front of 33-1 Radar.
The top 3 placers were 4-2-1. #3 B the One was no where to be found as just after the gates opened A Famous Ribbon took a hard left turn right into B the One and then a jump later again bumped B the One ending his chance in this 440-yard sprint.
The inquiry sign went up and an objection was lodged by the rider of B the One, Cesar Moreno. In QH racing the starts can be a bit rough and many times some hard bumping is regarded as “racing” and a review isn’t even done. In this case it wasn’t just one bump out of the gate it was a second one ending all chance for B the One and the stewards disqualified A Famous Ribbon and placed him 8th.
Jockey Minor Arana appeared to try and correct as quickly as possible but the damage was done and the DQ was ruled.
#2 Shaundas Eagle and rider Sergio Dominguez were thrilled with the result getting moved up to take the $26,752 share of the purse. In the qualifying event on July 27, the original order of finish was exact with A Famous Ribbon winning by a head over Shaundas Eagle who was 3/4 of a length in front of Radar.
Shaundas Eagle and Dominguez felt it was another tight loss but were very pleased with his run finishing in a time of 22.32. When the decision was made the winner’s circle was a bit crazy as A Famous Ribbon posed for the winning photo before the final decision was made.
When track announcer Tom Harris made the announcement the crowd gasped and the scramble was on to get Shaundas Eagle saddled again for Domoingues to get on and to move the Ribbon connections out while rounding up Shaundas people for the trophy presentation.
The official order of finish became Shaundas Eagle 1st, 2nd Radar with Brayan Juarez aboard, 3rd went to Look James and Jose Espinoza and 4th place Snobird under Jose Guerrero.
Shaundas Eagle is owned by Kent and Linda Jones and trained by Daren Jones. The 5-year-old gelding is an Oklahoma bred by One Fabulous Eagle out of First Prize Shaunda by Pyc Paint Your Wagon and was bred by Weetona Stanley.
Shaundas Eagle is now 4-5-4 from 19 lifetime starts and has pushed his career earnings to $55,658. The win narly doubled his earnings.
Pay-Outs
2 Shaundas Eagle (Dominguez) $22.92 $8.52 $6.52
1 Radar (Juarez) $26.94 $13.32
10 Look James (Espinoza) $4.00
$1 Ex 2-1 $148.35
$1 Tri 2-1-10 $1,318.90
$1 Super 2-1-10-6 $19,697.10
$1 Daily Double 3-2 $11.56
Winner’s Circle Ceremonies with Joe Withee
Race Replay
The rest of the Saturday’s races.
3rd Race
In a 3 horse photo finish the betting favorite, Mr Executive and Kevin Krigger closed strongly to get the win by a neck running the 6-furlongs inb 1:10.53. 7-2 Pole to Pole with Cerapio Figueroa just missed from between horses and took 2nd by a neck over 3rd place Spectacular Tiger under Manny Americano who was well clear of 4th place Street Mogul and Francisco Duran.
Mr Executive is owned by Rally Cap Stable and trained by Blaine Wright. The 4-year-old gelding is a Washington bred by Grazen out of Charmer Lo by Girolamo and was bred by Ron Crockett and Mr and Mrs William Griffin.
Pay-Outs
6 Mr Executive (Krigger) $4.48 $2.80 $2.12
3 Pole to Pole (Figueroa) $4.52 $3.08
1 Spectacular Tiger (Americano) $2.66
$1 Ex 6-3 $6.67
$1 Tri 6-3-1 $13.38
$1 Super 6-3-1-2 $23.00
$1 Daily Double 2-6 $22.29
50-cent Pick (3) 3/9-2-6 $15.33
Race Replay
4th Race
A field of 6 2-year-olds went 5-furlongs and experience won out. Wreckless Rhett had run 3rd and then 2nd. Rhett under the guiding of David Haldar finished climbing the ladder with an impressive 4 length win in a time of 57.48. Wreckless Rhett is owned by Les Hunsucker and trained by Victor Trujillo.
2nd favorite Matts Advispr with Manny Americano gave his shot but was clearly second best well in front of 3rd place Ashryver under Javier Matias with Monte de Chevre completing the superfecta.
Pay-Outs
4 Wreckless Rhett (Haldar) $4.10 $2.48 $2.10
5 Matts Advisor (Americano) $2.34 $2.20
8 Ashryver (Matias) $3.52
$1 Ex 4-5 $3.26
$1 Tri 4-5-8 $10.08
$1 Super 4-5-8-2 $26.70
$1 DD 6-4 $5.93
50-cent Pick (3) 2-6-4 $22.60
50-cent Pick (4) 3/9-2-6-3/4/7 $36.17
Race Replay
5th Race
6 runners broke from the gates going a mile and 70 yards. In a well matched field 3-1 2nd betting choice Move Over got a nice stalking trip from Adrian Castellanos edging away in the stretch to win by nearly a length in 1:40.84. Move Over is owned and trained by Miguel Hernandez.
9-2 Cross the Causeway and Alex Cruz held off 8-1 A Skip in the Park with Carlos Montalvo by a nose for the place. 7-2 Brother O’Brien and Frank Alvarado finished 4th.
Pay-Outs
2 Move Over (Castellanos) $8.52 $4.12 $3.36
1 Cross the Causeway (Cruz) $5.34 $3.72
3 A Skip in the Park (Montalvo) $4.48
$1 Ex 2-1 $17.81
$1 Tri 2-1-3 $73.08
$1 Super 2-1-3-4 $209.20
$1 DD 4-2 $10.87
50-cent Pick (3) 6-4-2 $12.49
Race Replay
6th Race
The 2nd 2-year-old race of the day was for fillies and first time starter Shes Vals Barkley stunned the field of 10 when the 23-1 shot went straight to the lead and just kept going. Alex Cruz controlled the pace with a more than reasonable 45.67 1/2 mile time leaving plenty for the stretch. When Cruz asked Val for more she had it and drew off to a 2 length win in a final time of 1:05.24.
2-1 Candy Creek and Julien Couton ran a solid 2nd followed by 10-1 She’s Back and Adrian Castellanos. Boujee Britches under Manny Americano got up for 4th by a neck.
Shes Vals Barkley gave Krystal Demoney-Hensdrickson her 1st career win as both an owner and breeder. Trainer Anne Wisdom picked up her 1st win of the season. Shes Vals Barkley is a Washington bred by Barkley out of Val de Saire by Harbor the Gold.
Pay-Outs
3 Shes Vals Barkley (Cruz) $49.70 $16.80 $10.72
5 Candy Creek (Couton) $3.96 $3.20
1 She’s Back (Castellanos $7.70
$1 Ex 3-5 $106.55
$1 Tri 3-5-1 $625.14
$1 Super 3-5-1-6 $3,865.60
$1 DD 2-3 $57.66
50-cent Pick (3) 4-2-3 $128.19
50-cent Pick (4) 6-3/4/7-2-3 $225.92
Race Replay
7th Race
5-2 Pop Chart got bet down late and Silvio Amador rewarded her backers with a perfect front end ride. Amador got the first 1/4 in 22.09 and the half in 45.22. Heading into the stretch Amador gave Pop Chart a tap and she did the rest rolling to a nearly 5 length win in a time of 1:10.13 for the 6-furlongs. Pop Chart is owned by John Matlusky and trained by Elodio Madrigal.
Favorite Vhagar ran 2nd coming cfrom off the pace for Manny Americano, 7-1 Prancing Matilda took 3rd with Alex Cruz and finishing the top 4 was 8-1 Moonlight Grey and David Haldar.
Pay-Outs
4 Pop Chart (Amador) $7.40 $3.38 $2.52
3 Vhagar (Americano) $3.02 $2.36
6 Prancing Matilda (Cruz) $2.94
$1 Ex 4-3 $9.15
$1 Tri 4-3-6 $36.00
$1 Super 4-3-6-1 $103.90
$1 DD 3-4 $178.85
50-cent Pick (3) 2-3-4 $237.40
Race Replay
8th Race
In the finale 33-1 Poker Alice shocked the other 8 runners with a heady front running effort under perfect timing from Allyssa Morales. Poker Alice finished the 6 1/2-furlongs in 1:16.39. Poker Alice is owned and trained by Sergio Perez. 23-1 Libby’s Gambit gave Alex Crus his 2nd top 2 finish on a 23-1 shot, Bourbon Glaze and Kevin Krigger closed well to be 3rd, favorite Stepup and Kevin Orozco ran 4th while Bob’s Vai and Talliyuah Timentwa completed the Super High 5.
Claimed: There were 4 claims all for $3,500. Bob’s Vai goes to new owner Julie Hebdon and trainer Jorge Rosales. Rosales got another one Bourbon Glaze for owner Santos Rosales. Confidence Builder has a new owner the White Diamond Syndicate and will be trained by Vince Gibson. Stepup goes to Miranda Gibson and will be trained by Howie Gibson.
Pay-Outs
1 Poker Alice (Morales) $69.70 $30.84 $13.72
8 Libby’s Gambit (Cruz) $18.36 $7.96
9 Bourbon Glaze (Krigger) $3.62
$1 Ex 1-8 $641.10
$1 Tri 1-8-9 $2,497.82
$1 Super 1-8-9-6 $13,372.80
50-cent Super High Five 1-8-9-6-7 no winner carryover $10,780
$1 DD 4-1 $157.32
50-cent Pick (3) 3-4-1 $1,578.37
50-cent Pick (4) 2-3-4-1 $4,587.24
50-cent Pick (5) (4 correct) 3/4/7-2-3-4-1 $76.16 carryover $6,093
20-cent Pick (6) (5 correct) 6-3/4/7-2-3-4-1 $155.36 carryover $6,038
Race Replay
Photo Gallery for 8/16/2025
