9/7/2025
(Auburn, WA) Closing day 2025 featured a state record 12 races on a single card. This was the final Super Stakes Sunday of the season with 4 stakes races including the 85th running of the Gottstein and 83rd running of the Muckleshoot Tribal Classic.
There was a big 40k+ pick 6 carryover that was a must pay and plenty of postseason honors to scramble for. The Jockey, Trainer and Owner Championships were awarded and the Oktoberfest atmosphere set a very festive atmosphere with yet another well attended weekend of racing.
I’ll be releasing more stories all week in our season ending wrap-up reports. This piece is focused on the race results, replays and pay-outs for closing day. More to come this week!
The Betting Window
We need to make a quick betting window report from Sunday with carryovers in both the pick 6 and the Super High 5. We’ll start with the Super High 5 with a $2,000 carryover. The pool grew to a decent $15,674 and despite the 4-5 odds-on choice winning, the 7-1 4th choice was 2nd followed by 37-1, 4-1 and 17-1. The winning ticket paid $1,177.69.
The Pick 6 carryover was a heck of a lot more at more than 167k. This was a must pay and turned into a regular pick 6 with a 20-cent minimum bet. Unlike the Super High 5 there were really no surprises in this one. Unlike the all-stakes pick 6 on Longacres Mile day that had only 4 of 6 cash tickets, a pick 5 that also paid out with 4 of 5 winners and a pick 4 that returned nearly $28,000, the pay-out on the final pick 6 was stunning. And not in a way if you hoped to pick up an extra month or so of a house payment.
In fact, if you had all 6 winners you’d be lucky to pay for dinner for you and a date.
The pick 6 began with the 1st stakes race in the 7th with Bewitching Joy winning at odds-on 3-5. 1-1 Aloha Breeze followed up with a head victory over 12-1 Ima Margarita Girl. So 2 races in and the overwhelming favorites were winners. In the 9th race, the 6-5 favorite Clovisconnection did not win but 2nd choice 5-2 Slew’s Tiz Whiz did by a neck over 5-1 Bearings. in a 6 horse field. In the Gottstein, the 2nd choice again won with Robin Racer at a slight higher 2-1 over 2-1 Cantcatchthiscat. Robin Racer was a clear winner by more then 2 lengths so no doubt in the 4th leg of the pick 6.
So through 4 races the 2 overwhelming favorites match with both 2nd choices of 5-2 and 2-1. Heading into the first non-stakes race of the pick 6, the 3rd straight 2nd choice took the win with Lapush at 2-1 in a blitzing win of more than 6 lengths. The pick 6 then was completed by 4-5 odds-on choice Pop Chart in the 12th. So the pick 6 was odds-on winner, 1-1 winner, 5-2, 2-1, 2-1 and odds-on.
The pay-out to me was still stunningly low for a pick 6. The 20-cent bet paid $78.54. Since this was a must pay, the rules of the pick 6 shifted tlo a regular pick 6 which also meant a consolation bet was paid so for 5 of 6 winners the consolation paid $4.48. This means somewhere in the neighborhood of 2,000 pick 6 winners were paid. Dreams of a new RV with the winnings were reduced to a blue tarp.
However, no doubt many people who cashed finally achieved their goal of cashing a 6 win pick 6 ticket and there were many who collected.
The stories, replays and pay-outs begin with the 4 stakes races in the order they ran from the 7th-10th races followed by the other 8 races in the order they ran.
7th Race Muckleshoot Juvenile Filly Stakes
By Vince Bruun
Clinching honors as the track’s champion 2-year-old filly, Bewitching Joy rallied for a two-length victory over Bobs Honey in the $50,000 Muckleshoot Juvenile Fillies Stakes.
With Isaias Enriquez at the controls, Bewitching Joy covered the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:18.17, returning $3.20 as the odds-on betting favorite. Frank Lucarelli is the trainer for the Cinco Vino Stables, who acquired the filly off her runner-up debut on July 12.
A Kentucky-bred by Midnight Lute, Bewitching Joy upped her season ledger to 3-1-0 from four starts with stakes triumphs in the WTBOA Lassies and Muckleshoot Juvenile Fillies. Including $27,000 earned Sunday, her overall bankroll is $73,480.
Last on the backside, Bewitching Joy swept up three deep on the turn, caught stablemate Code of Valor past mid-stretch, and drew clear to the wire. Enriquez said he was surprised not to see Falling Leaves on ther lead or close to it and thought she may have had a bad break at the gate. Enriquez soon realized they changed how they were running and decided to get into position sooner than later. “When I saw that Carlos had a hold of Falling Leaves I thouyght uh oh, maybe they’re getting her to relax and saving that speed for the stretch. So I moved on the outside to make sure I was clear and she responded well.”
Bobs Honey, ridden by Kevin Krigger, rallied late to snatch second place, while Code of Valor, Kiaman McGregror up, held third. Krigger was happy with the run he got from Bobs Honey espec ially after a little trouble on the turn, “we got a little crowded on the and had to check a little bit but when we got room she gave her all. She has more in her, we needed a little racing luck today but she ran really hard.”
Rounding out the full order of finish were Falling Leaves, Annie Oak Lee, Deep Desires, and Shes Vals Barkley.
ESN talks with winning rider Isaias Enriquez
Pay-Outs
7 Bewitching Joy (Enriquez) $3.20 $2.26 $2.10
4 Bobs Honey (Krigger) $2.74 $2.28
1 Code of Valor (McGregor) $3.40
$1 Ex 7-4 $4.19
$1 Tri 7-4-1 $19.86
$1 Super 7-4-1-5 $59.50
$1 DD 7-7 $10.09
50-cent Pick (3) 8-7-7 $21.24
Race Replay
8th Race Muckleshoot Tribal Distaff Stakes
Trainer Tom Wenzel was victorious in the two 3-year-olds and up stakes races on Emerald Downs’ 30th closing day in exciting fashion. Wenzel’s 65th and 66th stakes wins at the Auburn oval, one behind Doris Harwood’s 67. Wenzel, who has trained here every year at Emerald won his 67th later in the Gottstein Futurity.
Aloha Breeze gamely held on to win the 1 1/16 mile 58th running of the $50,000 Muckleshoot Tribal Distaff by a short head. Aloha Breeze led comfortably for most of the race but tired in the final 200 yards and Ima Margarita Girl made up a bunch of ground on the rail to just miss with Alex Cruz riding.
Cruz said Stay Sassy had a little issue at the start, “She hit the gate hard and that startled her so it wasn’t a great start. But she relaxed good for me and turning for home the rail was wide open and we were getting to them. I thought I might have got there but just a little short. She ran great.”
The winning rider was Carlos Montalvo and a $2 win ticket paid $4.02.
The 5-year-old Kentucky-bred, who is owned by George Todaro, has now collected seven career stakes wins at Emerald. The winning time was 1:45.80.
Finishing a close third was Stay Sassy who had won the Emerald Distaff. Two others were also closing in on a near blanket finish with Zippen Sevenz with Kiaman McGregor a half length behind Stay Sassdy and a nose better than the fast closing Precise Timing and Kevin Orozco. The top 5 were separated by a about a length at the finish line. A 1 1/16.1 distance and it’s a completely different finish.
Young Life Laura finished 6th after threatening turning for home she flattened out and Poker Alice showed early speed but tired to take 7th.
ESN talks with winning rider Carlos Montalvo
Pay-Outs
6 Aloha Breeze (Montalvo) $4.02 $2.96 $2.10
1 Ima Margarita Girl (Cruz) $9.76 $4.56
5 Stay Sassy (Krigger) $2.32
$1 Ex 6-1 $21.70
$1 Tri 6-1-5 $61.16
$1 Super 6-1-5-2 $262.10
$1 DD 7-6 $3.06
50-cent Pick (3) 7-7-6 $12.87
50-cent Pick (4) 8-7-7-6 $34.55
Race Replay
9th Race 83rd Running of the Muckleshoot Tribal Classic
The oldest runner in the race Slew’s Tiz Whiz (age 7) regressed a bit in the stretch turn but when the real running commenced, Julien Couton found another gear and they squeezed up the fence and surged passed Bearings in the final 50 yards to win by a neck.
Slew’s Tiz Whiz, who has now won the race two times, paid $7.64 to win as the 5-2 second choice. Bearings finished second a neck ahead of Clovisconnection, the 6/5 favorite. The final time for the 1 1/16 mile race was 1:42.55.
The Washington-bred Slew’s Tiz Whiz has now won seven career stakes at Emerald Downs for current owners Slew’s Crew Racing.
Winning rider Julien Couton said Slew’s performance today was night and day from his effort in the Mile. Couton said, “he really relaxed on the back stretch and settled in like he usually does. I think he felt the tension of the Mile and just was off a bit.”
Couton was a little worried about halfway around the fcar turn whether or not the rail would open up and even open up in time. “the pace leader (Clovisconnection) was in front and I had no where to go, then it looked like Kevin’s horse maybe started to tire a little bit and drifted off the rail and I knew I had to go now and Slew responded.”
Meantime, Bearings, who closed faster than all the others in the Longacres Mile but settled for 2nd got a great trip under Alex Cruz and took the lead inside the 1/8th pole. But with Clovisconnection between him and a fading He’s Not Talking they didn’t see Slew come flying up the rail until just before the finish line.
Trainer Justin Evans said had Slew not gotten through or even another second or two he thinks Bearings would have got there. Evans said, “I was really pleased with the race Alex rode and had him right where I thought we cold win. But when Slew is on his game, this is his track. If he doesn’t get through on teh rail for another 10 yards we might have held him off. Also, being that far to the outside with the other two between us and Slew they never saw him coming until it was too late. But that’s why he’s a legend here.”
Clovisconnection ran yet another big race and may appeared to some as tiring a bit but he was within a 1/2 length of winning in the end and just a neck back of Bearings for 2nd place.
He’s Not Talking and Silvio Amador held 4th with Veritas Aequitas taking 5th and Catch a Breeze was pretty fractious at the gate and ultimately was eased for 6th place.
Pay-Outs
6 Slew’s Tiz Whiz (Couton) 7.64 $3.84 $2.44
3 Bearings (Cruz) $4.92 $2.88
4 Clovisconnection (Krigger) $2.10
$1 Ex 6-3 $17.71
$1 Tri 6-3-4 $34.76
$1 Super 6-3-4-5 $63.30
$1 DD 6-6 $16.87
50-cent Pick (3) 7-6-6 $7.38
Race Replay
10th Race the 85th Gottstein Futurity
By Vince Bruun
Robin Racer exploded into the lane and scored a 2 ¾-length victory in Sunday’s 85th renewal of the $50,000 Joe Gottstein Futurity as the curtain closed on Emerald Downs’ 30th season of live racing.
Perfectly handled by Carlos Montalvo 121 lbs., Robin Racer ran one mile and 70 yards in 1:43 flat, returning $6.76 as the No. 2 choice in the wagering.
With the victory, Wenzel completed a natural hat trick of stakes races—Aloha Breeze (Muckleshoot Tribal Distaff), Slew’s Tiz Whiz (Muckleshoot Tribal Classic), and Robin Racer (Gottstein Futurity)—to tie Doris Harwood for No. 1 all-time in Emerald Downs Stakes wins at 67. Also, it was the second stakes triple of the season for Wenzel, tying the track record he shares with Blaine Wright.
For Todaro, meanwhile, it’s his record fourth victory in the venerable Gottstein—all of them coming since 2021: Midnight Mojo (2021), Lloyds Logic (2022), Miner League (2023), and Robin Racer (2025).
Sixth on the backstretch after a half mile in :45.99, Robin Racer commenced his bid on the last turn, split horses into the stretch, powered to the lead in upper stretch and drawing clear late.
Vino Viking, also conditioned by Wenzel, rallied past Lead the Charge late for second to complete the exacta for owner George Todaro.
In fact, in what is believed unprecedented, Wenzel posted a one-two finish with maidens in the Gottstein. Although both had shown promise, stakes-placed Robin Racer and Vino Viking were combined 0 for 4 heading into Sunday’s race.
A Kentucky-bred by Connect, Robin Racer earned $27,500 and improved to 1-1-0 in four starts with earnings of $40,200.
Vino Viking, by Vino Rosso, earned $10,000 for his runner-up finish at 18 to 1 odds, while Lead the Charge, third choice at 5 to 2, finished third.
Cantcatchthiscat, the 2 to 1 betting favorite, made a wide bid into the stretch before weakening slight and finishing fourth. Rounding out the full order of finish were Saint Benji, Coastal Journey, Tapbyangels, Ashryver, Wreckless Rhett, and Moonlight Serenade.
Isaias Enriquez on Cantcatchthiscat said, “one of the runners was running rank into the 1st turn and carried us out deeper than I wanted. I had to use some of his speed to get clear down the backstretch and we cruised up to the leaders pretty good turning for home. But when I asked him for more he was empty today. Really, though, with the trouble he had it was a pretty good run for him. Not sure we would have caught the winner no matter what today. That was a really nice run.”
ESN talks with Trainer Tom Wenzel after his incredible run on Closing Day
Pay-Outs
1 Robin Racer (Montalvo) $6-76 $4.30 $2.92
6 Vino Viking (Alvarado) $13.88 $5.74
2 Lead the Charge (Amador) $3.32
$1 Ex 1-6 $36.28
$1 Tri 1-6-2 $175.14
$1 Super 1-6-2-9 $315.60
$1 DD 6-1 $25.12
50-cent Pick (3) 6-6-1 $27.37
50-cent Pick (4) 7-6/8-6-1 $36.98
Race Replay
The rest of the Closing Day card
1st Race
In the opener on closing day, Coconut Dreams sat just off the speed and took over at the 1/8th pole for a clear win under Frank Alvarado. Coconut Dreams ran the 6-furlongs i 1:11.30 for owners Oak Crest Farms and trainer David Martinez.
31-1 Celestial Skies with Chel-c Bailey closed well to be 2nd, Sweet Beth and Kiaman McGregor were 3rd at 18-1 and 4-1 betting choice Itza Dizzy Tizzy and Kevin Krigger took 4th.
Pay-Outs
8 Coconut Dreams (Alvarado) $18.24 $6.70 $5.24
2 Celestial Skies (Bailey) $16.64 $14.12
5 Sweet Beth (McGregor) $10.44
$1 Ex 8-2 $101.80
$1 Tri 8-2-5 $3,129.64
$1 Super 8-2-5-6 $3,336.70
Race Replay
2nd Race
2-1 favorite Don’t Have Another came storming down the middle of the stretch and over the top of all the early pace for an easy win with a perfectly timed ride from Adrian Castellanos. The duo covered the 6-furlongs in 1:10.16 for owner Kevin Chavarria and trainer Jorge Rosales.
Anna’s Iron Man and Manny Americano ran on for 2nd, Gianola under Allyssa Morales finished 3rd and completing the superfecta was Mirror Image and Kevin Orozco.
Claimed: Don’t Have Another was claimed by owner/trainer CC Perkinson while Rocket Ribbon was taken by Chad and Joanna Scott for trainer Debbie Peery. Both were claimed for $2,500.
Pay-Outs
4 Don’t Have Another (Castellanos) $6.20 $3.84 $2.88
6 Anna’s Iron Man (Americano) $5.52 $3.66
5 Gianola (Morales) $5.96
$1 Ex 4-6 $16.72
$1 Tri 4-6-5 $92.40
$1 Super 4-6-5-8 $436.20
$1 DD 8-4 $35.35
Race Replay
3rd Race
Fred Mo, a half brother to Papa’s Golden Boy, showed that same speed for Manny Americano and fought off the early pace dual with Matts Advisor and Alex Cruz. Jess In Time with Kevin Krigger ran an even 3rd and they were all well clear of 4th place Rise Up and Go and Silvio Amador.
Fred Mo races for Mort Robbins and trained by Robbie Baze. Fred Mo is a Washington bred by Jess Mo out of Brookie Girl by Proud Citizen and was bred by Bar C Racing stables.
Pay-Outs
8 Fred Mo (Americano) $9.72 $4.30 $3.32
1 Matts Advisor (Cruz) $2.68 $2.22
2 Jess in Time (Krigger) $2.74
$1 Ex 8-1 $12.79
$1 Tri 8-1-2 $48.58
$1 Super 8-1-2-5 $117.10
$1 DD 4-8 $16.36 Consoltion DD 4-4 $3.17
50-cent Pick (3) 8-4-8 $80.53
Race Replay
4th Race
7 went the mile in the 4th race on closing day and 5-1 Club Mesquite with Manny Americano came rolling over the top to win clear in a final time of 1:36.77. Club Mesquite is owned by Eliana Thompson and trained by Jorge Rosales.
Abraaj Mirage closed from far back to run a good 2nd for Kevin Krigger, Artemus Gordon and Adrian Castellanos finished 3rd and Uncle Leon under Alex Cruz was 4th.
Claimed: Uncle Leon was red tagged b y Emily Majkrzak and Tanner Vicory and goes to the barn of Jorge Rosales.
Pay-Outs
8 Club Mesquite (Americano) $13.06 $6.82 $4.10
5 Abraaj Mirage (Krigger) $5.28 $3.88
9 Artemus Gordon (Castellanos) $4.28
$1 Ex 8-5 $39.15
$1 Tri 8-5-9 $149.78
$1 Super 8-5-9-1 $429.20
$1 DD 8-8 $37.15
50-cent Pick (3) 4-8-8 $100.73
50-cent Pick (4) 8-4-8-8 $468.92
Race Replay
5th Race
2-1 Grease Missile battled Bobby’s Genie for the early lead but about halfway around the turn Allyssa Morales tapped the go button and the Missile said see ya cruising to an easy win finishing the 6 1/2-furlongs in 1:15.83. Grease Missile is owned and trained by Victor Trujillo.
Greatful Attitude sat back early and made a solid run under Isaias Enriquez for the place, Ms Flashy Harbor and Alex Cruz got up for 3rd while Princess Payton with Adrian Castellanos took 4th.
Pay-Outs
8 Grease Missile (Morales) $6.42 $4.32 $3.70
6 Greatful Attitude (Enriquez) $4.20 $3.94
2 Ms Flashy Harbor (Cruz) $9.36
$1 Ex 8-6 $14.73
$1 Tri 8-6-2 $158.78
$1 Super 8-6-2-9 $2,345.90
$1 DD 8-8 $17.62
50-cent Pick (3) 8-8-8 $97.82
Race Replay
6th Race
Jullian in Paris closed with a rush to get up for the win going a mile. Isaias Enriquez with the well timed ride in a final time of 1:38.04. Jullian in Paris races for Two Putts for the Win, Gary and Maureen Hallett and Paisano Stable and trained by Frank Lucarelli.
Pedal to the Metal and Kiaman McGregor also closed well to get the place just getting by the pace of Sir Lucas with Chel-c Bailey who finished 3rd. Further back was Mr Executive and Kevin Krigger in 4th.
Pay-Outs
7 Jullian in Paris (Enriquez) $10.64 $5.32 $3.64
3 Pedal to the Metal (McGregor) $7.74 $5.98
8 Sir Lucas (Bailey) $7.18
$1 Ex 7-3 $35.87
$1 Tri 7-3-8 $328.08
$1 Super 7-3-8-5 $1,232.90
$1 DD 8-7 $13.61
50-cent Pick (3) 8-8-7 $55.36
Race Replay
11th Race
Lapush showed her class and pulled away for a big 6+ length win covering the 6 1/2-furlongs in a fast 1:15.20. Julien Couton waited patiently just behind the early speed then swung to the outside and roared down the stretch for the clear victory. Lapush races for James Carlin and trained by Tom Wenzel, Wenzel’s 4th win in a row for the day.
Miss Dynamic with Juan Gutierrez set the early fractions and did well to hold on for 2nd, clearly in front of 3rd place Kiss of Spice with David Haldar and taking 4th was Nan Elizabeth and Kiaman McGregor.
Pay-Outs
11 Lapush (Couton) $6.42 $4.18 $3.30
10 Miss Dynamic (Gutierrez) $3.38 $3.10
7 Kiss of Spice (Haldar) $13.10
$1 Ex 11-10 $8.68
$1 Tri 11-10-7 $181.56
$1 Super 11-10-7-5 $1,407.20
$1 DD 1-11 $14.86
50-cent Pick (3) 6-1-11 $39.66
50-cent Pick (4)
Race Replay
12th Race
Silvio Amador began the 2025 season winning the 1st race of the season and bookended it with the last race of the year. he also didn’t disappoint most of the bettors taking the final race aboard 4-5 odds-on choice Pop Chart. Amador sat patiently and let loose in the stretch with a burst to win by nearly 3 lengths in a final time of 1:10.83 for 6-furlongs. Pop Chart races for John Matlusky and trained by Elodio Madrigal.
Sorority Party and Kevin Krigger ran 2nd followed by 37-1 Candied Joulet and Carlos Montalvo, Caly Bali under Manny Americano ran 4th and completing the Super High 5 was Cheering for Layla with Adrian Castellanos.
Claimed: Pop Chart was the final claim of 2025 and goes to new owners Alex and Vincent Ortega for trainer Scott Tubbs.
Pay-Outs
3 Pop Chart (Amador) $3.70 $2.76 $2.40
7 Sorority Party (Krigger) $5.58 $4.80
6 Candied Joule (Montalvo) $11.32
$1 Ex 3-7 $12.48
$1 Tri 3-7-6 $159.60
$1 Super 3-7-6-8 $521.80
Super High Five 3-7-6-8-4 $1,177.69
$1 DD 11-3 $8.18
50-cent Pick (3) 1-11-3/10 $25.71
50-cent Pick (4) 6-1-11-3/10 $72.25
50-cent Pick (5) 6/8-6-1-11-3/10 (5 correct) $122.43
20-cent Pick (6) 7-6/8-6-1-11-3/10 (6 correct) $78.54; (5 correct) $4.48
Race Replay
Closing Day Photo Gallery
