Horse Racing: Coastal Jazz takes Owner’s Handicap, Castellanos triples again, Howie Gibson doubles on Italian Day

8/30/2026

(Auburn, WA) Sunday was Italian day at Emerald Downs as the 2026 season is nearing it’s end. There was the traditional pizza eating contest, dancers, a live band and plenty of food and beverage specials.

There was also a special Owner’s handicap racing under allowance conditions and thanks to another donation by Jody Peetz of $8,000 it pushed the purse to $30,000.

Race for the Championships

The jockey, trainer and owner Championships is clear for the Owners, looks like the trainer title is closing in and remains open for the jockeys.

Let’s start with the Owners as George Todaro and his team was in a 3-way tie for the top owner with 8 wins. This year, there is no competition for Todaro who has registered 17 wins and could hit 20 by the time the season is in the books on Labor Day.

The next closest was Rancho Viejo and Jerry Carmody with 7 wins.

The Trainer’s race looks like Howard Gibson is going to get his 1st ever training title. He began the day with 30 wins, 4 in front of Tom Wenzel and last year’s champion Jorge Rosales each with 26 and the only other trainer with 20 or more wins was Blaine Wright with 20.

The Jockey’s race seemingly had Silvio Amador well in control entering the weekend with a 9 win lead over Kevin Krigger and a 14 win lead over Adrian Castellanos. That lead dwindled to a 7 win lead over Krigger after Saturday and 11 over Castellanos.

We’ll update all the standings in the The Track Wire.

Vince Bruun’s Track Notes

Sunday’s 10-race card handled $1,278,204. . .Lead the Charge ($4.56) covered 6 ½ panels in 1:14.85 while romping in a $25,000 co-feature for 3-year-olds. . .Adrian Castellanos rode three winners, making it 10 wins in the last three racing days. . .Silvio Amador and Kevin Orozco rode two winners each. . .The stewards suspended Amador one day, Monday, Sept. 7, for failing to maintain a straight course on Island Paradise in Saturday’s first race. . .Howie Gibson and Jorge Rosales led trainers with two wins apiece. . .Making his first start since a victory in the 2025 Longacres Mile, Arrowthegreat scored at 19 to 1 in an $82,000 allowance at Del Mar. . .Only three days of racing remain in the 2026 season, beginning Saturday with first post 1:50 p.m.

From the Saddle

Adrian Castellanos picked up where he left off on Saturday sweeping the opening daily double for his 4th and 5th wins of the weekend. Castellanos would then add another win in the 6th for his 2nd straight day of tripling but more importantly had drawn within 8 of Silvio Amador.

Amador would answer snapping a little mini drought with back-to-back wins in the 8th and 9th races. So with 3 race days left to go, Amador leads the jockey standings with 65 wins, Kevin Krigger has 56 and Castellanos is making a big move with 6 wins this weekend now has 55. But with 3 days left, closing a 10 win gap is a huge challenge.

Other winning riders on Sunday included Kevin Orozco who also doubled, Isaias Enriquez, Alex Anaya and Blake Nunnally all got victories.

From the Barn

Howie Gibson doubled as did Jorge Rosales so Gibson maintains his 4 win lead over Rosales. Tom Wenzel falls behind by 6 but will likely have several runners set to finish off the season next weekend. 

Other winning trainers on Sunday were Francisco Rodriguez, Kay Cooper, Frank Lucarelli, Joe Toye, Blaine Wright and Charlie Essex.

The Betting Window

The Super High 5 had a $1,500 carry-over from Saturday and paid off handsomly on Sunday with the winning tickets paying $2,952.52. The Pick 6 paid 5 of 6 winners $180.82. The carry-over to next Saturday is $9,435.

This was another good day for pay-offs across the board with a mix of favorites and big longshots hitting the board. 

7th Race Owner’s Handicap Purse $30,000

 Coastal Jazz delivered a brazen display of speed in Sunday’s $30,000 Owners’ Handicap at Emerald Downs, romping by seven lengths and tying the track record for five furlongs.

An 8-year-old Washington-bred, Coastal Jazz ran five furlongs in :55.46 to tie the record shared by Jazzy Mac (2000), Victor Slew (2003), and Starbird Road (2006).  Ridden by Blake Nunnally at 114 lbs. for trainer Howie Gibson and owners Nina Hagen and Miranda Gibson, Coastal Jazz returned $10.72 as second choice in the wagering.

The Owners’ Handicap dates to the 1970s at Longacres, including Chinook Pass’s world record:55 1/5 set Sept. 17, 1982. Coastal Jazz nearly equaled Chinook Pass’ feat, overtaking Olivian around the turn, getting the half mile in :43.58, and scampering clear for the blowout victory.

A son of Coast Guard, Coastal Jazz improved to 17-9-9 in 58 starts with earnings of $353,724.

Si That Tiger, the 3 to 5 favorite ridden by Silvio Amador at 118 lbs., failed to show his customary early speed but finished well to take second.

Uncle Leon, with Ramiro Juarado up at 122 lbs., finished third while the filly Olivian with apprentice Talliyah Timentwa finished fourth. Rounding out the order of finish were Knightline, Jin Tong, Now Then, and Goin’ South.

• $1.00 EXACTA 6-5 $11.65
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 6-5-8 $81.87
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 6-5-8-4 $116.00
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 2-6 $20.08
• $0.50 PICK 3 3-2-6 $448.11
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 1,2-3-2-6 $451.98

Race Replay

The rest of Sunday’s races

1st Race

5 went 1 mile and 3-5 Fix it Quick was sent near the pace from Adrian Castellanos and waited with a patient ride. At the 3/8 pole split runners and pulled away entering the stretch and held for a clear length win in a time of 1:37.80. Fix It Quick races fotr Hat Trick Racing and is trained by Francisco Rodriguez.

5-1 Aloha Chrome closed from last and made a nice stretch run for Blake Nunnally to be a clear 2nd, Simonsito and Alex Cruz grabbed 3rd at 13-1 while Let’s Go Champ with Silvio Amador finished 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 1-2 $3.15
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 1-2-4 $9.86
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 1-2-4-5 $2.29

Race Replay

2nd Race

6 runners in the gates for starter Mark Gibson and 5-2 Coyote Time broke last and didn’t look like he was going to get anything going but turning for home the red hot Adrian Castellanos stayed on the rail and closed with a rush to catch front runner Denanda with Talliyah Timentwa for the neck win. Exactamundo and Alex Cruz ran a big race today as well but tired a bit late to finish 3rd just a 1/2 length from the win. Glory Sunday and Blake Nunnally capped the on the board finish in 4th.

Coyote Time races for Chad and Josh and trained by Howie Gibson.

• $1.00 EXACTA 2-1 $10.87
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 2-1-5 $16.72
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 2-1-5-4 $6.18
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 1-2 $4.26

Race Replay

3rd Race

When the gates opened Melba’s Gold broke quick for Kevin Orozco and measured the rest of the field to his inside. Melba’s Gold want to get rolling and separated from the pack running the 1/4 in a fast 21.97. Melba’s Gold never stopped rolling to a big win stopping the clock in a quick 58.76 for the 5 furlongs. Melba’s Gold is trained by Kay Cooper and owned by Frederick and Debra Pabst. The 2-year-old filly by Gold Rush Dancer out of Melba Jewel by Cahill Road is a Washington bred and was bred by the Pabst’s.

Saint Indie was far back and closed well to get 2nd for Blake Nunnally, Dragonella and Pablo Castillo came running late for 3rd and Express Girl ridden by Alex Cruz was 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 6-3 $10.19
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 6-3-2 $13.80
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 6-3-2-1 $6.42
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 2-6 $12.63
• $0.50 PICK 3 1-2-6 $11.85

Race Replay

4th Race

Creme de Menthe has been a consistent on the board finisher with a 6-6-8 career mark from 33 starts. She has been favored before but never an overwhelming 1-5 odds-on choice. The public was not fooled as Isaias Enriquez put Creme de Menthe on the lead and they never looked back blowing away the field by 8 1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:02.44 for the 5 1/2 furlongs just missing the fastest 5 1/2 time of the meet set by Aloha Breeze of 1:02.30. Libby’s Gambit and kevin Krigger were 2nd best Bakburn with Alex Anaya was 3rd and completing the superfecta was Shanghai Barbie under Talliyah Timentwa.

Creme de Menthe races for Aaron Bresko and trianed by Frank Lucarelli and is a Washington bred by Curlin to Mischief out of Creme by Somersham and was bred by Nina and Ron Hagen.

• $1.00 EXACTA 1-6 $5.18
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 1-6-5 $5.90
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 1-6-5-4 $1.80
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 6-1 $10.24
• $0.50 PICK 3 2-6-1 $17.64
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 1-2-6-1,2 $19.99

Race Replay

5th Race

20-1 Inclusion Matters was quick out of the gates for jockey Alex Anaya and they set the tone of the 5 1/2 furlong sprint setting fractions of 21.93 and 44.92. The stalkers and closers including 4-5 Gottherizz with the super hot Adrian Castellanos riding for the brilliant Todaro team likely felt the outsider would get tired and give way. But they would be wrong as Inclusion Matters showed who mzattered when drew out to a 2 1/2 length lead and held on by a 1/2 length over the favorite. 34-1 Ryker’s Heat and Blake Nunnally was pressing the pace and did well to hold 3rd and running an even 4th was Kraken Up with Kevin Krigger.

Inclusion Matters stopped the clock in a final time of 1:04.07 and 2-year-old colt races for Terra Firma Too and Mitch Cohen and trained by Joe Toye. Inclusion Matters is a Washington bred by Straight Fire out of Duranga by Bellamy Road.

• $1.00 EXACTA 3-4 $48.15
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 3-4-8 $208.85
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 3-4-8-5 $121.06
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 1-3 $25.65
• $0.50 PICK 3 6-1-3 $140.91

Race Replay

6th Race

Adrian Castellanos triple for the 2nd time in two days with a front end running win on Hadlees Honor. Hadlee and Topper’s at Seaside hooked up in this 1 mile run but shook off the competition at the top of the stretch and opened up on the field. The closers tried but could not catch Hadlees Honor winning by more than a length in a final time of 1:36.04. Hadlees Honor races for Carter James and is trained by Jorge Rosales.

Cause for Divorce closed well for Blake Nunnally to get the place, Gordy’s Boy and Alex Anaya held 3rd by a neck over 4th place Stop and Tres under Silvio Amador.

• $1.00 EXACTA 2-1 $16.93
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 2-1-3 $44.42
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 2-1-3-6 $22.72
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 3-2 $97.57
• $0.50 PICK 3 1-3-2 $64.64

Race Replay

8th Race

Betting choice Lead the Charge went to the front of this 6 1/2 furlong dash and was clearly the best winning by nearly 7 lengths in a final time of a fast 1:14.85 just 4/10’s off the fastest 6 1/2 of the season. Silvio Amador looking to get a win did so in spectacular fashion for owners John and Janene Maryanski and Gerald and Gail Schneider for trainer Blaine Wright.

22-1 Bruce’s Moose and Alex Cruz ran a big one coming off his maiden win to hold 2nd, Vino Viking closed from last to take 3rd under Frank Alvarado and Al’s Big Boy with Blake Nunnally ran 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 5-6 $35.52
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 5-6-4 $62.07
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 5-6-4-1 $114.17
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 6-5 $11.69
• $0.50 PICK 3 2-6-5 $44.78

Race Replay

9th Race

Longshot Magic Jewel gave this field of 7 all they wanted on the front end as Kevin Orozco stirred Magic out of the 1 hole and onto the lead. Turning for home 2-1 favorite Pearl Blue and Silvio Amador aboard, engaged Magic Jewel and those would battle it out where Pearl Blue got the upperhand in the final 20 yards to win by a 1/2 length. However, Magic Jewel did not hold on for 2nd as 33-1 Shes Vals Barkley closed with a rush piloted by Lenny Seecharan just missed pulling off the stunning upset. Alluring Valentine has been really good all year but came out with a flat effort to take 4th for Kevin Krigger.

Pearl Blue races for Petra Lewin and trained by Charlie Essex. Pearl Blue is a Washington bred by Conveyance out of Hetty by Cahill Road and was bred by Rainbow Meadows Farm.

• $1.00 EXACTA 6-3 $76.14
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 6-3-1 $848.69
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 6-3-1-7 $600.95
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 5-4 $1.89
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 5-6 $7.42
• $0.50 PICK 3 6-5-4,6 $18.09

Race Replay

10th Race

2-1 betting choice Golden River had turned away everyone deep in the stretch and Adrian Castellanos thought he was on his way to a 4th win when Fantastic Day at 12-1 unleashed a furious rally coming from the clouds to win by 1 1/2 lengths in a time of 1:15.86 for 6 1/2 furlongs. Fantastic Day is owned by Julie Hebdon and trained Jorge Rosales.

Golden River took 2nd, Firewalker made a bid for Jennifer Whiktaker but flattened out to be 3rd, Baladi with Isaias Enriquez ran on to be 4th and Smiling Goodbye ridden by Silvio Amador capped the Super High 5.

• $1.00 EXACTA 5-3 $67.42
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 5-3-8 $221.37
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 5-3-8-2 $102.75
• $0.50 SUPERHIGHFIVE 5-3-8-2-4 $2,952.52
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 6-5 $57.63
• $0.50 PICK 3 5-4,6-5 $78.91
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 6-5-4,6-5 $362.41
• $0.50 PICK 5 5 OF 5 2-6-5-4,6-5 $1,868.29
• $0.10 PICK 6 5 OF 6 3-2-6-5-4,6-5 $180.82
• – PICK 6 CarryOver $9,435.44

Race Replay

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